r. 


b" 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

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http://www.archive.org/details/fantasticksromanOOrostrich 


A  Romantic  Comedy  in  "Three 
Acts  by  E  D  M  o  N  D  R  o  s  t  and 


F  r  c  e  1  >'      Done      into      English 
r  e  r  s  e     by     G  K  o  R  G  E     Fleming^ 

', 

,   ;   .:  v\'\r', 

>  J  )   J 

H 

^M 

J^cta  iotft  R.  H.  RUSSELL  /goo 


BY     THE     SAME     AUTHOR 

Uniform  with  this  Volume 

CYRANO    DE   BERGERAC 

A  Play  in  Five  Acts 


•  c 
•  •  • 


•  • 


Copyright,    1900,   by 
ROBERT    HOWARD    RUSSELL 


PERSONS    OF    THE    PLAT 


Percinet 

A  Lover 

Straforel 

A  Bravo 

BfRCiAMIN 

Father  to  Percinet 

Pas^uin 

Father  to  Sylvette 

Blaise     . 

A  Gardener 

Syl\  ette 

(  Daughter   of  Pasquin 
(  in  love  with    Percinet 

Bravos,  Musicians,  Negroes,  Torch-bearers,    a   NotarYj 
Witnesses,  Wedding-Guests,  etc. 


The    Scene    to    take  place    where   one  pleasesy  provided   the 
Costumes  are  pretty  enough 


M101833 


THIS    VKK3IOX    OF 

"  LES    ROMANTIQUES  " 

WAS    FIRST    PRODUCED    AT    THE     ROYALTY     THEATRE 
MAY    Z9j    1900 


THE    FANTA^nCKS 

ACT  I 

The  stage  is  divided  by  an  old  mossy  wall  covered  with 
climbing  plants  and  vines.  To  the  right  a  bit 
of  Bergamin's  park ;  to  the  left  the  park  be- 
longing to  Pasquin.  Benches  against  the  wall 
on  either  side. 

The  curtain  rising  discloses  Percinet  seated  on  the 
top  of  the  wall,  with  a  book  on  his  knee.  He  is 
reading  aloud  to  Sylvette,  who  listens  atten- 
tively from  the  other  side  of  the  wall,  against 
which  she  leans,  standing  on  the  bench  L. 

Sylvette 

[clasping  her  hands  in  admiration,  and  looking  at 

Percinet]. 

How  beautiful !  how  beautiful !  dear  Percinet, — 
[she  checks  herself,  looks  down,  and  adds  shyly] 

— dear  friend. 
Percinet 
[tuith  enthusiasm,  but  absorbed  in  his  book]. 

Wait  till  you  hear  the  lovely,  perfect  end  ! 
Now,   Romeo :    [He  reads.]      '  Look,   love,    what 

envious  streaks 
A 


2  THE  FA NTA STICKS 

;•  t)o  lace  tte  severing  clouds  in  yonder  east ; 
'  Night's  candles  are  burnt  out,  and  jocund  day 
'  Stands  tiptoe  on  the  misty  mountain-top ' : 

[With  expression.'] 
'  I  must  be  gone  and  live ;  or  stay  and ' 

Sylvette 

\who  1ms  been  listening  to  some  imaginary  sound, 
interrupts  him  sharply]. 

Stop ! 
Listen  !     [She  looks  about  in  alarm.] 

Percinet 

[after  listening]. 
No  ! — nothing  to  be  seen  or  heard. 
[Half  tender,  half  bantering]. 
Sylvia  !  your  heart  is  like  a  little  bird 
That  flutters  from  her  nest  if  leaves  but  stir. 
Cease  trembling,  Faintheart!      [Takes  up  book.] 

Listen  now  to  Her — 
That  Juliet,  whose  love  could  never  die. 

[He  reads.] 
*  Yon  light  is  not  daylight,  I  know  it,  I ; 
'  It  is  some  meteor  that  the  sun  exhales 
'  To  be  to  thee  this  night  a  torch-bearer.'  .  .  . 
Then  He  : — *  Yon  grey  is  not  the  morning's  eye, 
'  'Tis  but  the  pale  reflex  of  Cynthia's  brow ; 
'  Nor  that  is  not  the  lark  whose  notes  do  beat 


THE  FANTASTICKS  3 

.'  The  vaulty  heaven  so  high  above  our  heads  : 
'  I  have  more  care  to  stay  than  will  to  go.' 
{He  looks  up  and  speaks  with  emotion.] 
'  Come,  death,  and  welcome  !    Juliet  wills  it  so  ! ' 

Sylvette 

[childishly]. 

No,  no  ! — not  that.     Oh  !  do  not  let  him  die  ! 
If  you  go  on,  I  '11 — weep. 

Percinet 
[turning  to  her  with  a  sudden  smile]. 

I  would  not  have  you  cry. 
And,  since  my  lady's  pleasure  sits  that  way, 

[He  looks  at  his  book,  and  shuts  it.] 
Let  noble  Romeo  live  another  day. 
[He  looks  about  him.] 
How  the  leaves  rustle  !     How  those  great  boughs 

seem 
Bending  and  brooding  over  Shakespeare's  dream  ! 

'Sylvette. 

Yes ;  they  are  beautiful,  enchanted  speeches  : 
/  love  them  too.     And  all  these  waving  beeches 
Sway  to  their  rhythm  in  a  mood  divine. 
0  yes,  I,  too,  have  found  your  Shakespeare  fine. 
Only,  [naively]  his  verse  is  finer,  Percinet, 
When  you  recite  it.     For — you  have  a  way 


4  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet 

[delighted,  but  protesting]. 
Flatterer ! 

Sylvette 
[nodding  her  head  gravely]. 
A  certain  way  of  saying  certain  things — 
[She  sighs.] 

But  those  poor  lovers 

[Mmrnfully.] 

Ah,  what  sufferings  ! 
[She  sighs.] 
They  make  me  think 

Percinet 

[quickly]. 

Of  whom  1 

Sylvette 

[blushing,  embarrassed]. 

Oh  ! — no  one  whom  one  knows. 

Percinet 

[half  teasing]. 
And  is  that  why  your  face  becomes  a  rose  1 

Sylvette 

[putting  her  hands  to  her  cheeks]. 
No  one ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  5 

Percinet. 
Ah,  Sylvia ! 
[Threatening  her  with  his  finger.] 

Those  transparent  eyes 
Can  hide  no  secrets — save  of  Paradise. 

[Mysteriously.] 
Our  own  two  fathers  you  remembered  then. 

Sylvette. 
Perhaps  I  did. 

Percinet. 
Two  angry,  worthy  men, 
Whom  long  hate  sunders 

Sylvette. 

And  hate  can  divide. 
When  I  've  remembered  that  [sadly]  I  've — very 

often — cried. 
For  when  I  first  grew  up — a  whole  long  month  ago — 
And  left  my  convent's  shade  to  see   the  great 

world's  show, 
[she  waves  her  hands  towards  the  trees,  etc.] 
My  father  brought  me  here,  beside  these  mossy 

stones, 
And  showed  me,  over  there,  the  park  your  father 

owns. 
'Look,  child,'  he  said,  'yon  fair  wood  is  the  den 
Where  lurks  my  mortal  foe,  the  worst  of  living 

men — 


6  THE  FANTASTICKS 

A  certain  Master  Bergamin,  whose  son 
Must  never  cross  thy  path. — I  bid  thee  shun 
All  sight,  all  contact  with  that  loathed  name. 
Thy  hate  and  mine  must  show  an  equal  flame, 
Or  I  renounce  thee.     Promise  ! — or  be  cursed  ! ' 

\8olemnly^ 
I  promised.     \Wiili  a  change  of  voice.']     But  I  had 

not  seen  you  first ! 

Percinet. 
And  did  I  not  the  same  mad  oath  repeat  ^ 
I  swore  to  hate  you.     And — I  love  you,  Sweet. 

Sylvette 

[starting  hack]. 
Love  me  ? 

Percinet 

[firmly]. 
I  love  you. 

Sylvette 
[faltering]. 

But — that  is  a  crime. 

Percinet 

[grandiloquently]. 
It  is.     What  matter  1    Every  single  time 
Love  is  forbid,  love  seeks  some  swifter  way. 

[Violently.] 
I  love  you. — Kiss  me. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  7 

Sylvette. 

Fie,  fie,  Percinet ! 
[She  jumps  down  from  the  bench  and  runs  away.] 

Percinet 
[with  reproachful  surprise'].  . 
And  yet — you  love  me. 

Sylvette 

[scandcdised]. 
Oh! 

Percinet. 

But,  dearest  child, 
I  put  your  thought  in  words.    We  were  beguiled 
If  we  still  doubted.      What  I  speak,  you  've  said. 
You  said  it,  Sylvia.     You  compared  the  dead 
Immortal  lovers  of  Verona 

Sylvette 

[putting  her  hands  to  her  ears].    " 
No! 

Percinet. 
— To  us,  my  Juliet ! — /  am  Eomeo. 

Sylvette. 
I  never  did  compare 


8  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

Our  battling  fathers,  Sweet, 
Remember  them.     And  see  me  at  thy  feet, 
0  fairer  Juliet ! — Brother  Montagu, 
[stretching  out  his  arms] 
You  had  the  old  love ;  have  I  not  the  new  ? 
[With  emphasis f  turning  to  Sylvette.] 
Well  as  they  loved,  I  '11  love  you  better  yet, 
Eight  in  the  teeth  of  Father  Capulet. 

Sylvette 
[drawing  a  little  nearer  the  wall]. 
But  are  we  lovers  ?    Can  love  t)e  so  swift  ? 

Percinet 

Love  never  bargains  o'er  his  royal  gift. 
I  watched  you  pass  my  door 

Sylvette 

[naively]. 

And  I  saw  too. 

Percinet 
Our  eyes  had  spoken  ere  your  name  I  knew. 

Sylvette 

One  day  I  looked  for  nuts  beside  this  wall ; 
It  was  by  chance 


the  fantasticks  9 

Percinet. 
By  chance — no  plan  at  all — 
I  brought  my  book,  and 

Sylvette. 

Off  my  ribbon  blew. 

Percinet. 

What  man  controls  his  fate  %     I  guessed  'twas 

You. 
I  climbed  this  bench  to  seize  the  precious  knot 

Sylvette 

[getting  up  on  the  bench]. 
I  climbed  this  bench 

Percinet. 

And  by  this  blessed  spot 
I  wait  each  day,  with  beating  heart,  to  hear 
The  music  of  your  bird-laugh  drawing  near. 
Your  laugh — your  signal.     Then  your  dear  hair 

shines, 
And  your  dear  face  uprises  through  the  vines. 

Sylvette. 
Since  we  are  lovers,  we  should  plight  our  troth. 

Percinet. 
I  've  thought  of  that. 


lo  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette. 

I,  Sylvette,  nothing  loath — 
Last  of  the  Pasquinots— to  you,  the  last 

Of  all  the  Bergamins 

\Slie  holds  out  her  hand,  which  he  kisses.'] 

Percinet. 

I  '11  hold  my  treasure  fast ! 

Sylvette. 
People  will  talk  of  Us  in  years  and  years  to  be. 

Percinet. 
Two  tender  blossoms  of  too  harsh  a  tree ! 

Sylvette. 

And  yet,  who  knows,  dear  friend  1    The  hour  may 

ring 
When   Heaven,    through  us,    may  soothe   their 

bickering. 

Percinet. 
I  doubt  it ! 

Sylvette. 

But  I  feel  that  Fate  befriends. 
Besides, — I  've  thought  of  half  a  dozen  ends 
All  possible,  and 

Percinet. 
What^ 


THE  FANTASTICKS  ii 

Sylvette. 

But,  dearest,  only  look  ! 
Suppose — I  've  read  of  such  things  in  a  book — 
Suppose  a  prince — that  prince  who  never  fails  ! — 
Should  ride  this  way,  as  in  the  fairy  tales  % 
— I  fly  to  tell  him  of  our  hopeless  love  : 
He  listens  :  I  beseech.     All  other  men  above, 
A  prince  gives  orders ;  and  our  fathers'  pride 
Bends  to  his  will 

Percinet. 
They  give  me  You  for  bride — . 

Sylvette. 
Or, — as  in  dear  old  Beauty  and  the  Beast, — 
You  seem  to  sicken, — you  grow  pale,  at  least—. 

Percinet. 
My  trembling  father  bids  me  name  my  care, 

Sylvette. 
You  say,  '  I  die,  since  Sylvia  is  so  fair  ! ' 

Percinet. 
His  heart  must  soften  ! 

Sylvette. 

Or — another  plan : — 
Some  rich  old  Duke,  some  old  and  wicked  man, 
Who  sees  my  portrait,  sends  to  me  a  page 
All  golden  armour,  to  demand  some  gage 
That  I  become  his  Duchess. 


12  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 
linterrwpting]. 

But  you  answer  '  No  ! ' 

Sylvette. 
Then,  on  a  night,  as  is  my  wont,  I  go 
Deep  in  the  park's  dim  shade,  to  dream  of  Thee. 
His  minions  seize  me ;  then  I  shriek 

Percinet. 

For  Me ! 
I  fly — my  dagger  in  my  vengeful  hand — 
And,  like  a  lion,  leap  upon  their  band 

Sylvette. 
Three— four  men  sink  before  your  flashing  blade  ;— 
Enters  my  father ;  hails  you ;  unafraid 
You  tell  your  noble  name ;  he  bursts  in  tears  of 

joy; 
And,  when  he  yields  his  Girl,  your  father  gives 

his  Boy. 
Percinet. 
And  ever  after  that,  we  live  in  perfect  bliss. 

Sylvette 

Dearest,  there  's  nothing  surely  very  strange  in 

this? 
Percinet 
[hearing  a  noise]. 
Somebody  coming ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  13 

Sylvette 
[losing  her  head]. 
Kiss  me ! 


Percinet. 


You  will  return  at  dusk  1 


Till  to-night. 


Sylvette. 

No. 

Percinet. 

Yes, — my  Heart's  Delight ! 

Sylvette 

[disappearing  behind  the  wall]. 
Your  father ! 

[Percinet  leaps  nimbly  down  from  the  wall.] 

Bergamin. 
[Sylvette  is  invisible  where  he  stands.] 

What !     I  find  you  mooning  here  ? 
Always  in  this  same  spot  1 

Percinet. 

But  this  spot  is  so  dear  ! 
I  love  this  spot.     I  love  this  mossy  seat : 
See  how  the  wild  vines  clasp  its  faithful  feet ! 
See  how,  in  arabesques,  their  tendrils  fall ! — 
The  air  tastes  sweeter  here. 


14  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin. 

Here  %    By  this  stifling  wall  % 


Percinet 

\yMh  enthusiasm]. 


I  love  that  wall ! 


He  cannot  see. 


Bergamin. 

I  'm  sure  I  can't  see  why. 

Sylvette 

[aside]. 


Percinet 

[with  a  touch  of  fatuity]. 

But,  sir,  you  won't  deny 
Its  beauty  ?     See  that  happy  crown  of  grass ; — 
The  redd'ning  vines  mix  with  the  ivy's  green  ; — 
With  pale  wisteria ;  and  the  paler  mass 
Of  honeyed  woodbine  and  of  eglantine. 
My  fine  old  wall !  that  from  its  gaping  sides 
Flings  to  the  sun  a  strange  and  ruddy  fleece 
All  starred  with  gentle  flowers ;  whose  deep  moss 

hides 
This  bench,  whereon  a  king  might  rest  at  ease. 

Bergamin. 

Tut !  tut !  young  man. — That  cock  won't  fight  at 

all.— 
You  'd  have  me  think  you  make  eyes  at  a  wall  *? 


THE  FANTASTICKS  15 

Percinet 

\&ame  manner]. 
But,  father !  when  a  wall  has  flower-eyes  ! 
[He  turns  to  tlie  wall  and  addresses  Sylvette 
out  of  sight.'] 
Eyes  like  blue  stars  !— Eyes  of  the  right  June-blue. 
Smiles  of  pure  azure. — Looks  of  blue  surprise. 
— As  if  some  flower  should  learn  the  way  to  woo. 
[  With  emotion.]    By  Heaven  !  if  e'er  I  should  forget 

their  power 

Bergamin 

[shouting]. 
Walls  —have — no — eyes ! 

Percinet. 

What  do  you  call — this  flower  1 
[Smiling  and  foppish,  he  offers  Bergamin  a 
flower  he  deftly  picks  from  the  wall.] 

Sylvette 

[aside]. 
Sweet  heaven  !  how  clever  ! 

Bergamin 

[with  a  grunt,  after  staring  at  him  and  his  flower]. 
Son,  you  are — an  Ass. 
But  well  I  know  what 's  brought  you  to  this  pass. 
[Signs  of  alarm  from  Percinet  and  Sylvette.] 


i6  THE  FANTAS TICKS 

You  hide  away — to  read. 

[He  snatches  the  hook  from  Percinet's  pocket, 
and  looks  at  if.] 

Plays  ! 
[He  opens  book  and  lets  it  fall  with  hmroi\'\ 

0  Lord  ! — Poetry. 
Written  in  verse, — in  verse.      Dear  Lord !  can 

such  things  be  ? 

[Pointing  each  word  with  his  stick  on  the  ground.] 

You  moon — you  hide — ignore  your  neighbour's 

needs ; 

You  talk  of  eyes,  and  walls,  pick  foolish  weeds ; — 

Eyes   in   my  wall !  —  Good   God  !      [Mimicking 

Percinet.]    Eyes  !  mosses  !  flowers  !  Fate  ! 

[Shouting.]      Walls — have — no — eyes,   my  lad. 

They  need  to  be  built — straight. 

[Pointing  to  wall  with  stick.] 

Who  knows  what  threat'ning  breach  may  lurk 

behind  that  screen  1 
I'll    send    my   men,  anon,    to    strip    yon    silly 

green. 
To  keep  a  hated  neighbour  well  at  bay, 
I  '11  have  that  whole  side  whitewashed.     All  the 

way 
I  '11  set  it  thick  with  sharp  and  broken  glass, 
Fragments  of  bottles,  till  no  fly  may  pass 
My  rankM  legions 


the  fantasticks  17 

Percinet. 

Father,  spare  my  vines —  ! 

Bergamin. 
Not  one.     All  glass.     All  razor-cutting  lines. 

Percinet  and  Sylvette 
\mercome  with  horror\ 
Oh! 

Bergamin. 

But  to  business.     [He  sits  on  the  bench  E.] 

Hm-m  1    [He  gets  up,  looks  at 
wall  suspiciously.] 
Though  walls  can't  see, 
They  've  ears  can  hear. 

[He  appears  to  be  about  to  climb  the  bench.  Alarm  of 
Percinet.  Sylvette,  on  hearing  the  noise, 
rrmhes  herself  as  small  as  possible  and  crouches 
under  the  wall.  But  Bergamin,  making  a 
face  which  shows  he  is  suffering  from  some  old 
stiffness,  beckons  to  his  son  to  climb  in  his  stead 
and  look  over.     To  Percinet.] 

You  climb,  and  look  for  me. 
[Percinet  scrambles  quickly  on  the  bench,  leans 
over  the  wall  and  speaks  to  Sylvette,  who 
has  immediately  risen.] 

Percinet 

[to  Sylvette]. 
To-night  1— To-night  1 


1 8  the  fantasticks 

Sylvette 

[giving  him  her  hand,  which  he  kisses ;  in  a  low  voice]. 
I  '11  come.     As  soon  as  darkness  nears. 

Percinet 

[same  voice]. 
I  shall  be  here. 

Sylvette 
[same  voice]. 
I  love  you. 

Bergamin. 

Well  ? 

Percinet 

[jumping  down  lightly ;  aloud]. 

No  sign  of — ears  ! 

Bergamin 

[reassured,  sits  down  again]. 
Then  business,  son.     I  've  chosen  you  a  wife. 

Sylvette. 
Ah! 

Bergamin. 
What  was  that  1 

Percinet. 

That  ?    Nothing. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  19 

Bergamin. 

Ton  my  life, 


I  swear  I  heard  a  cry. 


Percinet 

[looking  up  into  the  trees]. 

Some  little  wounded  bird- 

Sylvette. 


Alas! 


Percinet. 
I  almost  think  the  branch  above  there  stirred — . 

Bergamin. 
Well   then,   my   only   son,   with   due   reflection 

ripe 
I  've  made  your  choice 


Percinet 

[moves  away  up  stage,  whistling  impertinently]. 
Whew !     Whew ! 

Bergamin 

[after  an  instant  of  suffocating  indignation 
follows  him]. 

W^histle  !  you  silly  snipe  ! 
I  am  not  to  be  moved. 


20  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet 

\yMh  impertinence^  coming  down  stage]. 

Whew-ew ! 

Bergamin. 

You — piping  merle  ! 
I  say,  I  've  made  your  choice.     I  've  found  your 

wife.     A  pearl. 

Percinet. 
And — if  I  don't  like  pearls  1 

Bergamin 

[stupefied]. 
'Not— like  1    God  bless  my  soul, 
[lie  raises  his  cane]  I  '11  teach  you  what  you  like 


[Percinex  wards  off  the  stick  with  his  hand.] 

Bergamin. 
You  scamp  !  you 

Percinet 

[calmly,  sentimentally]. 

Sir,  the  whole 
Green   coppice   is    alive   with    spring-awakened 

song; 
And  where  young  leaves  are  thick,  young  birds 

woo  all  day  long 
By  little  woodland  streams 


THE  FA NTA STICKS  2 

Bergamin. 
Indecent ! 

Percinet 

[same  business^  with  stick]. 

It  is  May 
The  world  is  full  of  laughter.    Flies,  at  play 


Bergamin. 


Profligate  ! 


Percinet 

[same  business]. 
— swarm,  in  sunny  fields,  to  kiss 
The    thousand   flowers,   whose   opening    makes 

their  bliss. 
For  Love 

Bergamin. 
You— bandit! 

Percinet. 

— sets  all  hearts  a-quake. 
— And  you  would  have  me  wed  for  reason's  sake  1 

Bergamin 

[with  rage]. 
You  shall,  you  scoundrel ! 


22  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet 
\yery  sweetly]. 
My — de-ar — father,  — no. 
Dear  wall !      [twming  toioards  Sylvette]    bear 
witness  that  it  is  not  so. 
For  when  I  wed,  I  '11  wed  such  high  romance 
As  never  yet  was  seen  on  sea  or  land — . 
[To  Bergamin.] 

Before  I  yield,  I  '11  lead  you  such  a  dance 

[Buns  offstage.     Exit.] 

Bergamin. 
Wait  till  I  catch  you  ! 
[Buns  after  Percinet,  brandishing  stick.    Exit.] 

Sylvette 
[looking  after  Bergamin]. 

Oh !  I  understand 
Almost — my  papa's  hate  for  this  old 

Pasquin 
[entering  L.]. 

Well  1 
And  what  is  Missy  doing  ? 

Sylvette 

[quickly]. 

I  '11  not  tell ! 
[Confused.] 
— Nothing  ! — I  mean — I  'm  walking — . 


THE  FANTASTICKS  23 

Pasquin. 

Tut !  tut !  careless  maid, 
How  came  you  all  alone  %    And  liere  % 

Sylvette 

I  'm  not  afraid. 

Pasquin. 

Alone  %     Beside  this  wall  %     But  I  forbade  you, 

child, 
Ever  to  see  this  wall. — What !   will   you  drive 

me  wild  ? 
Have  you  forgot  this  park,  this  haunt,  this  horrid 

den 
Where  lurks  my  oldest  foe — the  worst  of  living 

men  % 

Sylvette 

[rather  bored]. 
I  know,  papa. 

Pasquin. 

And  yet  you  linger  by  this  wall. — 
You  dare  their  evil  looks. — You  take  no  pains 

at  all ! — 
What   if   this  ruffian's  son  —  fit  son   of   ruffian 

sire, — 
Should  find  my  daughter  here,  frail  victim  to 

his  ire  1 


24  THE  FANTASTICKS 

The    bare    thought    makes    me    creep. — Quick, 

quick  !  with  iron  nails 
Let  me  beset  this  wall ;— with  sharp  and  cutting 

flails ; — 
I  '11  turn  it  to  a  knife ;  a  porcupine ;  a  spear ; 
I  '11  make  my  iron  bite  each  mortal  thing  that 's 

near; 
I  '11  bristle  like  a  boar 

Sylvette 

Until  he  counts  the  cost ! 
Papa 's  no  spendthrift. 

Pasquin. 
Go  \—\Tenderhj\  Mind  that  you  don't  get  lost. 
{Exit  Sylvette.      Ee  watches  her  out  of 
with  affected  anger.'] 
[Enter  Bergamin,  speaking  offstage.] 

Bergamin. 
This  note,  post  haste,  to  Master  Straforel. 

Pasquin 

[running  to  the  wall  and  climbing  the  bench  L.]. 
Bergamin ! 

Bergamin 

[same  business,  bench  B.]. 
Pasquin ! 

[They  embrace.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  25 

Pasquin 
\affedionately\ 

Do  I  see  you  well  I 

Bergamin. 
So,  so,  old  friend. 

Pasquin 
\solicit(m&\. 
That  gout  1 

Bergamin 

{shrugs,  shoulders].  '  1 

Ugh  !     But  you  had  a  cough  *? 

Pasquin. 
I  have  one.     [Coughs.]  ' 

Bergamin 

,    [rubbing  his  hands]. 

Well,  'tis  done.     That  marriage  will 

come  off ! 

Pasquin. 
What  1 

Bergamin. 

Oh,  I  heard  it  all.     I  hid  there  [pointing] 

by  those  trees. 
They  're  mad — quite  mad — with  love. 


26  THE  FANTAS  TICKS 

Pasquin. 
Hurray ! 

Bergamin 
[same  business,  rubbing  hands]. 

Mad  as  you  please. 
To    business    now — ha  !    ha  ! — and    that    right 

speedily. 

Two  fathers,  and  two  cheery  widowers,  we ; 

I  had  one  son,  of  a  romantic  name 

Pasquin. 
Fantastic ! 

Bergamin 
[mth  a  shrug]. 
His  poor  mother  pined  for  fame — . 
You   had    one    daughter  —  sky-blue  —  with    a 

Soul. 
— What  was  our  hope  1     What  was  our  daily 

goaU 

Pasquin. 
To  overthrow  this  wall. 

Bergamin. 

To  live  here,  side  by  side. 

Pasquin. 
To  join  the  two  estates 


THE  FANTASTICKS  27 

Bergamin. 
Like  old  friends,  true  and  tried 


Pasquin. 
Like  prudent  landlords,  too— 


Bergamin. 
For  that,  what  did  we  plan  % 

Pasquin. 
Our  children's  marriage  ;  hey  % 

Bergamin. 

But  think,  my  dear  old  man  : 
If  they  but  dreamt  of  this,  if  they  once  guessed 

us  friends, 
Where  were  our  triumph  then  %     A  marriage,  for 

sane  ends. 
Is  not  a  very  tempting  article,  I  fear. 
To  fine,  fantastic — geese !     So,  since  they  lived 

not  near. 
We  hid  from  them  all  plans  that  pointed  Hymen's  ^ 

way, 
Till  school  and  college  sent  them  home  to  stay. 
Then,  I, — remembering  that  stolen  love 
Tastes  sweet  as  stolen  fruit, — and  that  above 
All  other  joys  they  'd  prize  a  guilty  bliss, — 
I  planned  our  deadly  hatred.    SJIe  chuckles.]  After 

this — 
And  through  my  cunning — we,  the  warring  sires. 
Need  only  condescend  to  our  desires. 


28  the  fantasticks 

Pasquin. 

But  how  confess  it  %  how  conceal  our  arts  % 
Cats  let  from   bags   would   startle   such   young 

hearts. 
I  dubbed  you  Ass — and  Rogue, — a  very  Knave 

indeed ! 

Bergamin. 

Ass  was  sufficient.     Man  should  not  exceed. 


What  pretext  ? 


Pasquin. 


Bergamin. 


There  you  are,  old  man  !     Your  girl 
Herself    suggested — \correds    liimself^ — gave,   at 

least,  the  twirl 
To  my  Idea, — thus  made  doubly  mine. 
Here,  and  to-night,  they  planned  to  meet,  in  fine. 
My  youngster  will  be  first. — Just  as  your  girl  he 

sees, 
Euifians,  in  masks,  shall  start  from  out  the  trees. 
They  seize  her  : — she  despairs  :    and  lo  !  young 

Chanticleer 
Darts  to  her  rescue,  without  pause  or  fear. 
The  ruffians  fly  his  flashing,  conquering  blade  : — 
They  fly. — We  show  ourselves.— The  rescued  maid 
Sobs  in  your  arms. — You  wipe  a  tear  or  so. 
And  bless  her  hero- saviour. — I  relent. — Tableau  ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  29 

Pasquin 
\with  enthusiasm]. 
I  call  that  genius.     Yes,  by  heaven  I  do  ! 

Bergamin 

[modestly]. 
Genius  ?     Ah  well !  old  friend,  /  won't  say  no  ! 
— But  see,  who  comes —  1     Hush  now. — Observe 

him  well. 
That  man  approaching — that  is  Straforel, — 
[Straforel  is  seen  in  the  magnificent  costume  of 
a  Bravo,  slowly  and  majestically  advancing 
down  stage.] 
The  famous  bravo,  freelance,  cavalier. 
—I  wrote  to  him  but  now— that 's  why  he 's  here.— 
'Tis  he  abducts  your  girl. 

[Bergamin  descends  hastily  from  wall,  and 
bows  to  Straforel.] 

Bergamin. 

Allow  me,  first  of  all, 
Sir,  to  present  my  friend, 

Straforel 

[bowing]. 

Sir—  ? 
[He  looks  about  him,  puzzled  to  see  no  one.] 

Bergamin 

[pointing  to  Pasquin,  astraddle  the  wall]. 

— Pasquin.     On  the  wall. 


30  the  fantasticks 

Straforel 

Faith  !  a  new  setting  for  an  ancient  fool ! 
Bergamin 

My  scheme,  sir,  would  impress 

Straforel 
\sardonic\. 

— an  infant  school ! 

Bergamin 
Itaken  aback\ 
— Man  of  experience. — Ha  !  you  act 


Straforel 
\homng\ 

— and  hold  my  peace. 

Bergamin. 

Ha !  an   abduction,  then ;  with  fighting,  if  you 

please. 

Straforel. 
That 's  understood. 

Bergamin. 
Ah  !  but  with  prudent,  careful  men. 
Who  will  not  hurt  my  boy,  \j)oinpous]  my  Son 

and  Heir 


THE  FANTASTICKS  31 

Straforel. 

Oh, — then, 
I  '11  take  the  foils  myself, 

Bergamin. 

Your  humble  servant,  sir. 
\Tliey  how.'] 

Pasquin 
\to  Bergamin]. 
You  ask  him  what  it  costs. 

Bergamin 
\embarfas5ed\ 

Ahem  !  I  hope  I — er — . 
For  an  abduction,  now — what  is  the  usual  charge  % 

Straforel 

\with  a  swagger]. 

Sir,    that  depends.      The    price    is    small    and 

large : 
It  goes  by  merit.     If  I  Ve  understood. 
What  you  require  is  something  neat  and  good. 
I,  in  your  place,  should  order — a  first-class. 
[Bowing,  with  flourish.] 

Bergamin 

[dazzled]. 
Is  there  such  choice  ? 


32  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Straforel. 
I  'd  rather  think  there  was  ! 
Sir !  we  've  the  obvious,  open,  schoolboy  rape, 
Which  only  needs  black  cloaks,  no  matter  what 

their  shape ; 
The  rape  by  cab  ; — 'tis  little  in  request ; — 
The  rape  by  day — the  rape  by  night  looks  best ; — 
The  pompous  rape  with  coaches  of  the  court. 
With  powdered  lacqueys,  wigs  of  every  sort — 
(The  wigs  are  extra) — eunuchs,  slaves,  and  mutes, 
Blacks,  bravos,  brigands,  musketeers — as  suits ; 
The  rape  done  with  postillions,  three  or  four. 
And  half  a  dozen  horses,  less  or  more ; — 
The  decorous  rape,  in  dowager's  landau — 
It  is  not  popular,  a  trifle  slow ; — 
The  comic  rape  : — the  lady  must  be  fond  ; — 
Romantic,  in  a  boat ; — requires  a  pond  ; — 
The  rape  Venetian — wants  a  blue  lagoon ; — 
The  rape  by  moonlight,  or  without  a  moon — 
Moonlight  is  dear,  and  always  in  demand  ; — 
The  rape  lugubrious,  by  blue  lightning  planned, 
With  challenge,  single  combats,  clash  of  arms. 
Great    flapping    hats,   dark   cloaks,    and    war's 

alarms; — 
The  rape  emphatic,  and  the  rape  polite ; — 
The  rape  with  torches,  tliat  's  a  charming  sight ! 
The  rape  in  masks — we  call  that  classical ; — 
The  rape  gallant,  done  to  sweet  music's  call ; — 
The  rape  in  sedan  chair,  that 's  new  and  gay. 
The  latest  thing  of  all — and  distingud. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  33 

Bergamin 
[scratching  his  head,  to  Pasquin]. 
What  do  you  think  1 

Pasquin. 

And  you  ? 

Bergamin. 

I  think  that— dash  the  cost ! 
I  think  we  should  strike  hard.     Try  everything — 

almost ! 
Order  a  rape 

Straforel. 
With  trimmings  1    As  you  like. 

Bergamin. 
Imagination  is  the  thing  to  strike. 
Cloaks — sedan  chairs — miisic — a  torch — a  mask  ! 

Straforel 
[taking  notes  in  a  book]. 
I  see,  I  see.     I  '11  make  it  now  my  task 
To  group  the  articles.     As  extras.     With  first- 
class. 

Bergamin. 
Good! 


34  THE  FANTAS TICKS 

Stratorel. 

Soon  I  shall  return.     But,  that  my  men 

may  pass, 
This  gentleman's  park  gate  [looking  at  Pasquin] 

must  stand  ajar. 

Bergamin. 
It  shall  be  opened. 

Straforel. 

My  lords,  [hows  with  flourish]  au  revoir  ! 

[Stopping  before  going  off.] 

A  first-class,  and  with  extras.     That 's  the  plan  ! 

[Exit,  swaggering.] 

Pasquin. 

With  all  his  show  of  honesty,  your  man 
Has  never  named  his  price. 

Bergamin. 

Oh,  let  that  trifle  go  ! 
Think !  we  shall  share  one  hearth  ;  this  wall  shall 

be  laid  low. 

Pasquin, 
Sweet  thought !  next  winter  but  one  rent  to  pay  ! 

Bergamin. 

We  '11  study  to  improve  these  gardens,  day  by 

day. 


the  fantasticks  35 

Pasquin. 
We  '11  trim  the  oldest  trees. 

Ber(^amin. 
We  '11  pave  the  woodland  ways. 

Pasquin. 

Our  monograms,  in  brightest  flowers,  shall  blaze 
United,  in  one  frame. 

Bergamin. 
Where  gloomy  oak-trees  grow 

Pasquin 

\interru'piing\. 

—y^Q  '11  light  'em  up  a  bit.     Hang  glass  balls  in 

a  row ! 

Bergamin. 

We  '11  make  a  brand-new  pond,  for  goldfish  ta 
'  adorn. 

Pasquin. 
We  '11  have  a  fountain  too ;  a  rockery  of  our  own ; 
A  rockery  set  with  ferns — with  ferns,  old  chap, 

you  hear  % 

Bergamin. 
What  can  man  ask  for  more  % 


36  the  fantasticks 

Pasquin. 
X  We  '11  bask  in  bliss,  that 's  clear. 

Bergamin. 
You  Ve  married  oflf  your  girl. 

Pasquin. 
You  've  given  your  lad  employ. 

Bergamin. 
Ah,  my  dear  Pasquin  ! 

Pasquin. 

Ah,  my  dear  old  boy  ! 
\The])  fall  into  one  another's  arms.     Percinet 
and  Sylvette  enter  abruptly  from  different 
sides.'] 

Sylvette 

[seeing  her  father  clasp  Bergamin,  and  thinking 
they  are  fighting]. 
Ah! 

Bergamin 
[seeing  Sylvette,  to  Pasquin]. 
Lord  !     Your  daughter ! 

Percinet 

[seeing  his  father  grasping  Pasquin]. 
Ah !      " 


the  fantasticks  37 

Pasquin 
\to  Bergamin,  seeing  Percinet]. 
The  boy ! 

Bergamin 
\a?,ide  to  Pasquin]. 

Let 's  fight ! 
{They  turn  their  embrace  into  a  wrestling  match.] 

Pasquin. 

Ruffian ! 

Bergamin. 
You  villain ! 

Sylvette 
[catching  her  father  by  his  coat-tails]. 
Papa ! 

Percinet    - 
[same  business  ivith  Bergamin]. 
Papa! 

Pasquin. 

Right ! 
I  '11  teach  you  to  insult  me 

Bergamin. 

You  struck  first 


38  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin. 


Liar ! 

Papa- 


Sylvette. 


Papa- 


Bergamin. 
Thief ! 

Percinet. 
Father — 


Pasquin. 

Brigand  ! 

Bergamin. 

Thrice  accursed ! 

Sylvette. 


\Tliey  succeed  in  separating  them.] 

Percinet 

[dragging  off  his  father]. 
Come  home.     'Tis  late. 

Bergamin 

[struggling]. 

I  '11  tear  his  vitals  out  ! 
[Percinet  leads  him  off.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  39 

Pasquin 

\^(xme  business  with  Sylvette]. 
I  foam  with  rage  ! 

Sylvette 
[leading  him  off]. 
'Tis  damp.     Think  if  you  caught  the  gout ! 

[The  daylight  begins  to  fade  slowly.  The  stage 
remains  empty  a  moment.  Then,  in  Pas- 
quin's  park,  L.,  enter  Straforel,  his 
Masks,  Musicians,  Bravos,  etc.] 

Straforel 

[with  an  air]. 

Already  the  blue  sky  assumes  a  star. — 

[In  a  different  voice,  placing  his  men,  pushing 
them  about,  etc] 

Stand  there, — and  there.— And  you—.     Stay  as 

you  are. 
—  Soon  we  shall  hear  the  pensive  vesper-bell, 
See  gentle  Sylvia,  all  in  white,  appear. — 
I  give  the  signal. — 

[Looking  up,  he  sees  the  moon  rising.] 

Damme  !  that  looks  well ! 
Here  comes  the  moon. — Booked  for  success,  that 's 

clear. 


40  THE  FANTASTICKS 

[He  examines  the  extravagant  cloaks  of  the 
Bravos.] 

Excellent  cloaks. — But  let  the  rapiers  show. 
Clap  hand  to  hilt.     [To  the  nearest  Bravo.]   Truss 
me  those  coat-tails.     So  ! 

[The  sedan  chair  is  brought  by  Black  Bearers.] 

That  chair  comes  over  here.   [Looking  at  Bearers.] 
Those  blacks  ?— Not  bad  at  all. — 

[Speaking  off  staged] 

Torch-bearers,  over  there—  !  don't  move  until  I 

call. 

[The  back  of  the  stage  is  lighted  with  vague  rosy 
reflections  from  the  torches  behind  the  trees. 
Enter  tJie  Musicians.] 

The  players  1    Let  them  group  where  the  lights 

shine  like  roses. 

[He  arranges  them  at  the  back.] 

— Gracefully,  now,  and  free. — Don't  all  take  the 

same  poses  ! 

Stand  up,  you  mandoline. — Sit  down  there,  you. 

— Kneel ;  so — 

There!    [fatuously]   that's   my  concert, — worthy 

of  Watteau. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  41 

[Severely  to  a  Bravo.] 
Number  One  mask !    what  ails  those  trembling 

knees  1 
Attention,  sir  !    With  spirit ! — Now  then,  please  ; 
Tune  up,  musicians.— Softly  with  that  tune  ! — 
Soft, — soft, — and  thrilling. — So. — And  none  too 

soon. 
[He  masks. ^ 

[Percinet  enters  slowly,  right  of  wall.   While  he 
is  speaking  the  nightfalls,  and  stars  appear.'] 

Percinet. 

My  father  looks  appeased,  and  I  have  fled. 
This  floating  breath  of  elder-blossom  seems 
To  mingle  with  my  brain.     The  day  is  dead, 

[lie  looks  about  /wm] 
The  lovely  day. — The  flowers  fade  to  dreams. 

Straforel 
[aside\ 
Music ! 

Percinet. 

I  feel — I  tremble  like  a  leaf. — 
What  ails  me  ?     She  is  coming — . 

Straforel 
[to  Musicians]. 

Lower  that  stress ! 


42  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

She  comes — to  Me  ! — 0  Sweetheart,  past  belief 
I  love  you ! — And   the  wind  sounds  like  your 

dress. 
The  flowers  fade — or  are  my  eyes  grown  dim  % 
The  flowers  fade,  yet  still  their  sweetness. grows. 

\B.e  looks  u^.'l 

Yon   star  seems   hanging  down  from  Heaven's 

rim. 
And    who   makes   music  1 — See  !    the    darkness 

grows. — 

Yes,  the  sweet  night  has  come ;  and  now 
About  the  heaven's  darkened  brow 
I  see  the  stars,  in  shining  row, 

Light  one  by  one. 
The  ponds  awake,  and,  croaking,  hail  the  dark  ; 
The  stars  redouble,  spark  by  fiery  spark  ; 
The  moon — a  swinging,  growing,  crescent  bark — 

Is  pale  and  wan. 

Diamonds  and  sapphires — jewels  of  the  skies  ! — 
I  was  your  lover  once  ;  and  otherwise 
I  sang  your  praises,  ere  I  saw  Her  rise 

Veiled  all  in  white. 
But  I  have  fairer  matter  for  my  lays 
Since  that  my  Sylvia,  with  her  childish  ways 
And  soft  hair  clipped,  child-fashion,  round  her  face. 

Brought  the  New  Light. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  43 

Familiar  stars  !  my  stars  in  heaven  shining, 
Whose  numbers  far  exceed  my  poor  divining, 
Your  beauty  will  indeed  be  reft  and  pining 

When,  through  the  twilight's  bars. 
She  shall  appear  above  the  garden's  vapours. 
— Seeing  Her  eyes,  your  ineffective  tapers 
Shall  pale,  and  cease  their  self- condemned  labours — 

Poor,  jealous  stars  ! 

\A  bell  nngs,  far  off.     Enter  Sylvette,  L.] 

Sylvette. 

The  vesper-bell.     He  waits — 

[A  shrill  signal-whistle.    Straforel  starts  up 
before  her ;  the  torches  appear.'] 

Ah! 

[The  Bravos  seize  her  and^thrust  her  rapidly 
into  the  sedan  chair.] 


Rescue  here ! 


Damnation ! 


Percinet 

[starting  forward]. 

Sylvette. 
Percinet ! 


44  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

I  'm  coming,  dear  ! 

\Re  draws  sword,  leaps  over  the  wall,  and  fights 
with  several  of  the  Beavos.] 

Hold— Hold— Hold— 

[Fighting.] 

Straforel 

[to  the  Musicians]. 

Tremolo ! 

[The  Fiddles  execute  a  dramatic  tremolo.     The 
BRAVOS/y  and  disperse.] 

[With  theatrical  emphasis.] 

Now,  by  great  Zeus, 
The  boy 's  a  hero  ! 

[Duel  between  Percinet  and  Straforel.  Stra- 
forel suddenly  claps  his  hand  to  his  heart, 
drops  his  sword,  and  staggers  hack.] 

Help!    Help! 
[Groans.] 

'Tis  no  use — . 

[He  falls.] 


the  fantasticks  45 

Percinet 

[running  to  Sylvette]. 
Sylvia ! 

[Tableau.     She  is  in -the  sedan  chair,  he  on 
his  knees  before  her.] 

Sylvette. 
My  hero ! 

Pasquin 
[appearing  suddenly]. 

Son  of  Bergamin ! 
[To  Sylvette.] 
What !     Your  preserver  1 — Girl !  you  shall  wed 

him ! 
Son !— Hero ! 

Percinet  and  Sylvette. 
Heavens ! 
[Bergamin  has  entered  on  his  own  side,  followed 
by  Servants  bearing  toixhes.] 

Pasquin 

[to  Bergamin,  who  appears  on  the  crest  of 
the  wall], 

0  Bergamin,  forgive ! 

Bergamin 
[solemnly]. 
My  hate  is  shattered. 


46  the  fantasticks 

Pasquin. 

Let  the  children  live  ! 

Percinet. 

Sylvia,  we  're  dreaming.     Sylvia,  do  not  seem 
To  breathe  too  deeply,  lest  we  break  our  dream 

Bergamin. 

Feuds  end  in  marriage  since  the  first  play  writ. 
— I  am  for  peace.     [Pointing  to  the  wall]     Let  us 

have  done  with  it ! 

Percinet. 

Who  would  have  thought  my  father  thus  could 

bend  ? 

Sylvette 

[simply]. 

I  always  knew  there  'd  be  a  happy  end. 

[As  they  retire  up  stage  with  Pasquin,  Stra- 
FOREL  rises  on  his  arm  and  holds  out  paper 
on  the  point  of  his  sword  to  Bergamin.] 

Bergamin. 

Hullo !    What 's  that  ?    A  paper  ?     [He  takes  it.] 

Wait  until 
I  've  seen  the  signature.     What 's  this  ? 


the  fantasticks  47 

Straforel 
\hoiving]. 

My  little  bill ! 
[He  falls  hack.'] 

Curtain. 


END  OF  ACT  I. 


48  THE  FANTASTICKS 


ACT    II 

Scene — Same  as  in  Act  I.,  but  (he  wall  has 
disappeared.  The  stone  benches  which  were 
against  it  have  been  moved  R.  and  L.  Mocli- 
ficaiions  in  the  details:  flower-beds^  clumps  of 
pampas-grass,  trellised  arbour  s,  pretentious 
statues  of  imitation  marble,  greenhouse.  R.  a 
garden  table ;  chairs. 

The  curtain  rises  on  Pasquin  seated  on  bench  L. 
reading  a  newspaper.  At  the  back  of  the  stage 
Blaise  with  a  rake. 

Blaise 

\raking\ 

They    tells    me,    master,    Lawyer     comes    to- 
nights .  .  . 
Heigh !  \leans  on  rake]  'tis  a  month  since  that 

old  wall  went  flat. 
And  you've  kept  house  together. — Well,  that's 

right ! 

[Goes  on  raking,  then  stops  to  chuckle.] 

Our  pretty  lovers  won't  complain  o'  that  I 


THE  FANTASTICKS  49 

Pasquin 

[raising  his  head  and  looking  about  him]. 
Looks  well  without  the  wall,  eh  1 


Blaise. 


Lovely,  sir. 


Pasquin 

[complacently]. 

Yes;  an  improvement.  Cent,  per  cent.,  and — 
[He  bends  over  and  feels  a  tuft  of  grass.]  Hey  1 — 
Who 's  wet  my  grass  1    [Furious.]    Some  donkey, 

I  infer, 
Has  brought  an  early  watering-pot  this  way. 
[With    explosion.]       Water    at    night,    old    ob- 
stinate ! 

Blaise 

[calmly.] 

'Twas  he— 
'Twas  Master  Bergamin,  sir  ;  never  me. 

Pasquin. 

Bergamin^    Hah!    [With  an  effort. ]^q\\,wq\\—. 

He  will  hold  fast 
To  his  own  fancy. — 'Water,  first  and  last.' 
D 


50  THE  FANTASTICKS 

As  if  judicious  sprinkling,  done  with  tact  and 

care;  .  .  . 
Well,  well ! 

\To  Blaise.] 
— Bring  out  those  flowering  plants  from  there. 

[Blaise  sets  in  a  row  a  lot  of  plants  he  fetches 
from  the  greenhouse.  Pasquin  reads  his 
paper.  Bergamin  appears  at  the  back 
carrying  an  enormous  water-pot.] 

Bergamin 

[watering  the  shrubs  abundantly]. 

Hah  !     Stinted.    Stinted  of  their  natural  food. — 
Plants  require  oceans  to  do  any  good. — 

[Speaking  to  a  tree.] 

Thirsty,  old  boy  1 — I  dearly  love  a  tree  ! 
— There  !  [watering]  take  a  bucketful,  and  think 

o'  me  ! 
Another  ? — Hah  !  [watering]  my  park  looks  trim 

and  neat. 
Nice,  decent  statues. 

[Puts  down  watering-pot  and  addresses  tree.] 

There  !  you  've  had  your  treat. 

[Catching  sight  of  Pasquin.] 
■Ullo ! 

Good  morning. 

[No  answer.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  51 

'Morning. 

\No  answer.    With  indignation.] 

I  said, — 'morning,  sir  ! 

Pasquin 

[looking  up^  wearily]. 

I  see  you  all  day  long. — Oh,  dear. — Why  make 

this  stir  % 

Bergamin 

[taken  aback]. 
Hey  ^— Well  1 

[He  sees  Blaise  arranging  the  pots.     Roars.] 
Take  in  that  stuff ! 

[Blaise,  alarmed,  drags  off  the  plants  hurriedly. 
Pasquin  lifts  his  eyes  to  heaven,  shrugs  his 
shoulders,  and  reads.  Bergamin  strolls  up 
and  down,  looking  bored  and  unoccupied.  He 
ends  by  sitting  down  beside  Pasquin.  Silence. 
He  speaks  with  a  melancholy  air.] 

Once,  on  a  happier  day, 
This  was  the  hour  I  chose  to  hide  and  steal  away. 

Pasquin 

[dreamily,  lowering  his  paper]. 

I  used  to  creep  from  home  on  light  and  thief-like 

toe. 
Ah  !  [he  sighs]  then  I  was  amused  ! 


52  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin. 

Our  secret —  *? 

Pasquin 
\8ighing\. 

Yes ;  I  know. 

Bergamin. 

Those  children  to  mislead — to  lure  from  off  our 

track ; 
Plots,  plans,  intrigues  to  build  ere  we  could  get 

our  crack 

Pasquin. 

To  daily  risk -one's  life.       To  daily  climb  that 

wall — 
Careless  of  collar-bones,  and  ribs,  and  dare  the 

fall! 

Bergamin. 

My  conversation — your  soliloquies — 
Paid  for  by  ruses  such  as  Indians  prize — . 

Pasquin. 

Through  furzy  bushes  forced  to  pick  one's  way, — 
Yes,  (hat  amused  me  ! 

Bergamin., 

On  all  fours,  one  day, 
I  crept  triumphant — greened  my  breeches  too  ! 


the  fantasticks  53 

Pasquin 

\}'egretfully\ 
We  always,  for  abuse,  found  something  new. 

Bergamin. 
Always  some  new  charge. 

Pasquin. 

Ah,  that  was  amusing ! 
\Ee  yawns.] 
Old  man  1 

Bergamin 

[yawning]. 
Yes,  Pasquin. 

Pasquin 

[mysteriaicsly]. 

We  miss  that  abusing. 

Bergamin 

[quickly]. 

What  stuff ! 

[After  reflecting.] 

We  're  dull- 
Well,  ye — es.     It's  true. 


54  THE  FANTASTJCKS 

And  this,  is 
The  Vengeance  of  Romance  ! 

\A  silence.     He  watches  Pasquin,  who  goes 
on  reading.     Aside.] 

— His  waistcoat  misses 
Its  daily  button.     Oh,  dear  me  ! 

[He  gets  ujp^  ivalks  away^  returns,  moves  uneasily.] 

Pasquin 

[looking  at  him  over  the  top  of  his  paper,  aside]. 

Poor  wretch ! 
Poor,  huge  cockchafer  !  ever  on  the  stretch. 

[He  pretends  to  read  as  Bergamin  passes  him 
again.] 

Bergamin 

[watching  him,  aside]. 
Yes.     When  he  reads,  he  squints. 

[Goes  up  stage,  whistling.] 

Pasquin 

[aside,  irritably]. 

He  whistles — it 's  a  trick  ! 
That  everlasting  tune!     [Aloud.]     Dear  boy,  it 

makes  me  sick. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  55 

Bergamin 

[smiling  sardonically]. 

My  dear  old  chap  !  [with  a  superior  air]  it  is  not 

hard  to  spy 
The  mote  that  lurks  within  a  neighbour's  eye. 
But  your  own  beams 

Pasquin. 

Mine  ?  Mine  1 

Beiigamin 

[with  irritation]. 

Can't  you  stand  still  ?     0  dear ! 
I  don't  deny  your  cold;  your  head  is  none  so 

clear ; 
But  need  you  always  sniff? — sniff  comes   from 

snuff — 
And  twenty  times  a  day 

Pasquin 

[inten^upting]. 

There,  there  !     Enough  ! 

Bergamin. 

And  forty  times  a  day  you  tell  the  same  old  story  ! 
— At    dinner,   your    bread-pills    keep  up   their 

trajectory. — 

[Pasquin,  listening  to  him,  seated,  swings  his  foot 
to  and  fro  impatiently.] 


56  THE  FANTASTICKS 

You    cannot    even    sit    in    your    own    elbow- 
chair 
Unless  you  shake  a  leg.      [Criticalhj.]     They're 

not  a  handsome  pair ! 

Pasquin. 

All  right.     Now  we  are  grown  blue-mouldy  with 

ennui, 
You've  nothing  better  left  than  to  pick  holes 

in  me. — 
You've   counted   up   my  faults — made  a  damn 

friendly  list ; 
But  life  in  common,  sir,  homelife  's  an  oculist ! 
— 3Iy  cataract 's  removed,  I  'd  have  you  know. — 

I  see 
How  false  you  are  !  how  base  !  a  miser; — worse 

than  me  ! 
You  're  like  a  fly  to  microscopic  view  ! — 
Your  faults  all  swell,  and  swell — . 

[Holds  up  hands  of  horror.] 

The  monstrous  crew ! 

[A  short  silence.] 

Bergamin 

[with  affected  indifference]. 

What    I    once    questioned,    I    don't    doubt  at 

all. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  57 

Pasquin 

\nd%vely\ 
What? 

Bergamin 

[pointing  to  where  wall  stood]. 
You  miss  that. 

Pasquin. 

You  're  lost  without  the  wall ! 

Bergamin. 
Thanks.     I  've  enough  of  seeing  you  each  day. 

Pasquin 

[violently]. 
My  life  is  gone,  since  you  came  here  to  stay. 

Bergamin 

[veiy  dignified]. 

Well,  sir,  'tis  well.     'Tis  very  good  indeed. 
Our  plans  were  laid,  I  think 

Pasquin. 

To  suit  another's  need  ! 

Bergamin. 
For  our  poor  children's  sake 


58  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin. 
— It  was  of  them  I  spoke. — 
\_Gonvinced^  with  emotion?^ 
Yes.     Let  us  bend  our  heads,  in  silence,  'neath 

that  yoke. 
— 0  my  lost  freedom  ! 

Berg AMI  N 

[bitterly]. 
Parents  always  pay. 
— They  live  by  sacrifice. — 

[Sylvette  and  Percinet  appear  L.,  back  of 
stage,  among  the  frees ;  they  slowly  cross  the 
stage,  clasping  one  another,  and  with  exalted 
gestures.'] 

Pasquin 
[to  Bergamin]. 

Hush  !  hush,  I  say  ! 
— Enter  the  Lovers. 

Bergamin 

[sneering]. 

Hah  !  the  newest  pose  is 
To  walk  about  in  your  apotheosis. 

Pasquin. 
Since  the  betrothal  they  're  absurd,  I  swear  ! — 

[discontentedly] 
You  'd  think  that  they  wore  haloes  in  their  hair. 


the  fantasticks  59 

Bergamin. 

This  is  the  hour  when — mimicking  the  slpw 
And  pious  gestures  of  Love's  Pilgrim's  Show — 
They  come  each  day ;  and  here,  as  at  a  shrine, 
Adore  the  sacred  scene— of  Straf Orel's  rapine. 
[Sylvette  and  Percinet,  who  disappeared  from 
right,  reappear  and  come  slowly  down  stage.'] 

Bergamin. 
Lo  !  the  Young  Pilgrims  ! 

Pasquin. 

Worshipping  themselves  ! 
— Let's  hide  and  listen. 

{They  retire  behind  a  clump  of  shrubs,  and  are 
seen  at  intervals  listening,  peering  over  the 
bushes,  etc.] 

Percinet. 

— how  above  all  else 
I  love  you — . 

Sylvette 

[in  a  murmur]. 

— love  you — .     [They  pause.] 

Hallowed  spot,  and  dear —  ! 
[She  points  to  the  place  of  the  rape.] 


6o  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

Yes,  here  it  happened;  [pointing]  that  last  brute 

fell  here. 

Sylvette. 
I  was  Andromeda,  chained  to  yon  rock. 

Percinet. 
Here,  I  was  Perseus. 

Sylvette. 

Love  ! — the  sudden  shock — . 
I    could    not    count    your    foes.      You   fought 

with 

Percinet. 

Perhaps  ten. 

Sylvette. 

Ten  ?     They  were  twenty  !  all  gigantic  men. 
— And  that  last  ravening  monster  whom   you 

slew ! 
Thirty  [mth  conviction] — at  least ! 

Percinet 

[modestly]. 

Thirty ; — or  thirty-two. 


THE  FANIASTICKS  6i 

Sylvette 

\adofmg  him]. 

Tell  me  once  more  how,  with  his  sword  in  hand, 
And  eyes  ablaze,  My  Conqueror  drove  that  band. 

Percinet. 

I  first  engaged  in  tierce — [hesitating] — at   least, 

I  think—. 
[Fatuously.] 
I  only  know  they  fell,  and  fell,  as  pebbles  sink. 

Sylvette. 
Dear,  if  it  were  not  for  your  golden  hair 
You  would  be  Csesar  ! 

-    Percinet. 
Yes,  [deprecating]  I  am — more  fair. 

Sylvette 

[with  enthusiasm]. 
What  lacks  our  love  but  to  be  writ  in  song  ? 

Percinet. 
Darling,  it  shall  be. 

Sylvette. 
Darling  ! 


62  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

We  '11  prolong 
Our  love  through  epics. 

Sylvette. 

0,  how  dreams  come  true  ! 
For  you  must  know, — long  ere  I  met  with  you — 
I  vowed  to  wed  some  high  heroic  mate — 
Some  one  my  father  would  think — desperate  ! 

Percinet. 

Sweet ! 

Sylvette 

\co'njidentially\. 

0,  his,  choice  was — just  the  Usual  Man, 
The  blameless  creature  girls  refuse, — who  can  ! 
Though,  still  encouraged  by  his  maiden  aunts, 
The  object '  dares  to  hope.'  [Scmiifully.']  He  '  dares ' ! 

Percinet. 

Or  vaunts 
His  father's  riches  : — says,  '  His  father's  trees 
March  with  your  father's   orchard.'     \With  an 

outburst.']   Families ! 
What  crimes  are  still  committed  in  your  name  ! 
Komance  how  wronged  !     High  love  how  bowed 

and  tame ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  63 

Bergamin 

[behind  his 


Pooh ! 


Sylvette 

[clasping  her  hands\ 

0  how  true  ! — But,  Percinet,  [laughing] 

how  cross 
Our  fathers  have  become  !     They — snarl 

Percinet 

[laughing]. 

They  gore  and  toss  ! 
They  paw  the  earth  ! 

Pasquin 

[protesting]. 
Ahem ! 

Percinet 

[lightly,  scornfully]. 

I  know  the  reason  why. 

Bergamin 

[curiously]. 
Hallo —  '?     [Peers  over  hush.] 


64  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

Crawling  on  earth,  they  have  to  watch 

U5  fly ! 
— How  should  their  ashes  understand  our  flame  % 

Bergamin. 
Young  devil !     [Looking  over  bush.] 

Percinet. 

I  respect  them  all  the  same — 
Good,  worthy  burghers  :  only,  are  they  quite 


Pasquin 

[indignantly]. 
Quite  what  1 

Percinet. 
To  call  them — jealous — would  not  be  polite. 

Sylvette 

[cheerfully]. 
Of  course,  they  only  fill  a  second  place. 

Percinet 

[laughing]. 
My  beaver 's  cocked  too  high  to  suit  their  ways. 


THE  FAN7ASTICKS  65 

Sylvette. 

Your  father,  in  your  presence,  has  the  air. 

The  awkward  air  of — [coquetiishly] — dare  I  say  it  ? 

Percinet. 

Dare  ! 

Sylvette. 
A  tame  duck  who  has  hatched  an  eagle's  egg. 

Bergamin 

[aside]. 
God  bless  my  soul ! 

Sylvette 
[laughing  still  more  exasperatingly]. 

Their, pardon  I  could  beg 

Pasquin 

[aside]. 
Quite  right ! 

Sylvette. 

— when  I  remember  how  we  fooled  them,  dear ; 
We,  helped  by  Love. 

Percinet. 

Oh  !  Destiny  is  clear 
Upon  that  point.     However  loves  meander, 
Kind  Fate  still  plays  the  valet  to  Leander. 

e 


66  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin 

\sc(yrnfuUy\. 
Ho  !  ho ! 

Sylvette 
[sentimental ;  after  a  short  pause]. 
Our  marriage-contract  hour  draws  near. 

Percinet. 
Oh  !  I  forgot  the  fiddles  ! 

Sylvette 
[reproachfully]. 

Oh,  my  dear ! 

Percinet 

[apologetic]. 
I  fly! 

Sylvette 
[tenderly]. 
Nay,  I  forgive. 

[She  stops  him  as  he  starts  off.]  ■ 

Your  lady  condescends 

To  walk  with  you  to  where  the  greensward  ends. 

[They  walk  off  together,  emhracing  one  another. 

Sylvette  bridles,  and  speaks  with  many  airs 

and  graces.] 


THE  FANTAS TICKS  67 

Sylvette. 
The  great  Old  Lovers  were,  methinks,  like  Us. 

Percinet. 
Yes ;  we  take  rank  in  the  Immortal  Band. 

Sylvette. 
Eomeo  and  Juliet, 

Percinet. 
Thisbe;  Pyramus, 


Sylvette. 
Arminta  and  her  Shepherd, — 


Percinet. 

Iseult,  the  White  Hand. 

Sylvette. 
And  Guinevere, 

{They  go  off  the  scene,  but  their  voices  are  still 
heard  behind  the  trees.] 

The  wic^  of  Percinet. 

He,  of  the  Naked  Sword, 


68  THE  FANTASTICKS 

The  voice  of  Sylvette. 

Petrarch  and  Laura, 

[The  voices  die  away.] 

Bergamin 
[coming  out  from  behind  the  shrubbery]. 

0  good  Lord  !     Go-od  Lord  ! 

Pasquin 

[following  him  and  speaking  with  derision]. 

My  compliments,  dear  sir,  upon  your  plan, 

[bows  derisively] 

Your  great  success,  0  great,  sagacious  man  ! 
No  doubt  it  serves  some  secret  end  you  had. 
But,  in  one  word,  you've  driven  those  children 

— mad ! 

Bergamin. 

Well,  yes,  your  girl  is  certainly  a  bore. 
She  and  her  rape  !     [Shrubs  his  shoulders.]     Was 

no  maid  wed  before  ? 

Pasquin 

[piqued]. 

As  for  your  son,  the  Hero-Popinjay,  [irritably] 
My  nerves  won't  stand  his  airs  another  day. 


THE  FA NTA STICKS  69 

Bergamin. 

But  what  revolts  me  is  the  way  they  dare 

Discuss  us  both — as  if  we  only  were 

Two  harmless  idiots  of  inferior  sort. 

We  shut  our  eyes  and  let  them  have  their  sport, 

And  when  we  shut  our  eyes  they  call  us — blind. 

[Pettislily.] 
I  am  a  fool  for  minding,  yet  I  mind  ! 

Pasquin 

[same  manner]. 
Had  you  not  thought  of  that,  sagacious  man  1 
Was  that  no  part  of  your  inspired  plan  ? 
— Ho  !  here 's  a  youth  who  sets  us  in  our  true 

place, 
And  as  for  him — the  king  may  tie  his  shoe-lace  ! 

Bergamin. 
I  '11  lace  him  yet ! 

Pasquin. 

I  'm  going  to  tell  them — all. 

Bergamin. 

No,  no  !     Not  yet !     Don't  be  nonsensical ! 
— Wait   for    the    marriage.       [Grimly.]      As    a 

wedding  gift 
We  '11  tell  'em  some  few  facts.     Till  then,  make 

shift 
To  look  as  dumb  as — fish. 


70  the  fa nta sticks 

Pasquin. 

Fish  caught  in  their  own  net. 
— But  that 's  your  plan,  no  doubt — your  plan  ! 

[Shrugging  his  shoulders.] 

Bergamin 
[angrily]. 

Sir !  you  forget, 
You  egged  me  on. 

Pasquin. 
I  ? — Never  !     'Twas  mere  fun. 

Bergamin 

[aside]. 
This  man  will  drive  me  mad  ! 

[Enter  Sylvette  gaily.  She  has  a  branch  of 
blossom  in  her  hand,  with  which  she  makes 
signs  off  stage  to  Percinet,  whom  she  has 
just  left.  She  comes  down  stage,  smiling,  n,nd 
stands  between  the  two  fathers.]  . 

Sylvette 
[gaily]. 

Good  morning,  every  one. 
Good  morning,  my  papa ! — Father-in-law,  good 

day! 


the  fantasticks  71 

Bergamin 

'Day,  future  daughter. 

Sylvette 

[imitating  his  voice]. 

Fu — ture  daugh — ter  ! 

What  a  way  !     [Pertly.] 
— You  look  so  cross. 

Bergamin 

[sulkily]. 
It 's  Pasquin 


[Sylvette,  shaking  ■  the  branch  to  and  fro  before 
his  face,  and  speaking  patronisingly  as  to  a 
naughty  child.] 

Sylvette. 

Hu — sh !     Be  calm  ! 
I  come  as  Peace.     Behold  me  with  my  Palm  ! 
[She  waves  branch  affectedly.     Patronisingly.] 
You  hate  each  other  still  a  little,  eh  1 

[She  looks  from  one  to  the  other.] 
— Eome  was  not  built,  remember,  in  one  day. — 
And  you  were  foes  so  long 


72  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin 

0  irony  of  Fate  ! 

Bergamin 
[ironical]. 

Most  true,   most   wise   young    maid !      You  're 

witness  to  our  hate. 

Sylvette. 

A  mortal  hatred,  too  ! — Oh,  I  remember  well 
The  things  you  used  to  say — . 

[Pointing  to  Bergamin  with  her  branch.] 

Don't  fear  !  [coquettishly]  I 
shall  not  tell 
All  that  you  said  of  hiin — 

[pointing  to  Pasquin] 

— there,  by  your  big  rose-bed. 
And  never  guessed,  ha,  ha  !  that  I  heard  all  you 

said, 
Hid  by  my  dear  old  wall. 

Bergamin 

[aside]. 

The  girl 's  a  simple  fool ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  73 

Sylvette 
[turning  to  Pasquin]. 

For  [ivith  emphasis]  every  single  day, — at  dawn, 

— by  twilight  cool, — 
I    met    my    Percinet !      And    neither    of    you 

once 
— No,  neither ! — had  a  doubt. 

Pasquin 
[ironically]. 

Forgive  me,  I  'm  a  dunce  ; 
And  he [pointing  to  Bergamin]. 

Sylvette 

[with  impmiance,  interrupting]. 

For  you  must  know,  I  saw  him  every  day. 

[To  Bergamin.] 

— Do  you  remember  still  that  time  my  Percinet 
Swore  he  would  wed  romance  ^     Ha,  ha  !     How 

wild  you  were  ! 
I  heard  it  all.     And  you  '11  admit,  dear  sir, 
Percinet  keeps  his  word. 

Bergamin 

[vexed]. 

You  think  so  ?     [Sneering.]     You  're  quite  sure  ? 
And  if  I  laid  my  plans 


74  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette 
[Pompously^  imitating  Percinet's  way  of  speaking]. 
Plans  change.    Lovers  endure. 
[Childishly.'] 

I  've  read,  a  hundred  times,  how  lovers'  dreams 

succeed 

And  cruel  fathers  yield.     Why  should  they  not, 

indeed  ^ 

They  're  human,  after  all.     They  can't  want  to  be 

hated. 

Bergamin. 
They  can't—  ?     0  let  me  laugh  ! 

[To  Sylvette,  ironically.] 

— So  that 's  how  you  got  mated  1 

Sylvette 
[tossing  her  head]. 
We  've  proved  it  true  ! 

Bergamin. 

Oh,  if  I  cared  to  say 

Sylvette 
[quickly]. 
Whati 


the  fantasticks  75 

Bergamin. 

Nothing ! 

Sylvette 
\afler  looking  at  him ;  with  discomfort]. 

You  look — very  strange  to-day. 

Bergamin 

[ironically]. 
Why  should  1 1     [Aside.]     Ho  !  I  almost  think 


I  will- 
Pasquin. 
With  just  one  word — . 

[Aside,  going  up  stage.] 

Best  keep  the  secret  still. 
[A  slight  pause.] 

Sylvette 
[defiantly,  but  uneasily]. 
'Tis  easiest  not  to  speak  when  naught 's  to  say  ! 

Pasquin 

[turning  about,  in  an  explosive  manner]. 
Naught  1  Naught,  she  calls  it  ?     Poor  tricked, 

blinded  may  ! 
What !  [turning  on  her]  you  believe  that  things 

can  happen  so  1 
That  locked  park  gates  fly  open  at  a  blow  1 


76  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin 

\8ame  Tnanner]. 
She  thinks,  ho  !  ho  !  that  Love  still  wears  a  mask  ! 

Sylvette 
[puzded,  offended,  half  suspicious]. 
I — I  believe — .     What  do  you  mean  1 

Bergamin 

[getting  excited]. 

I  ask 
Yourself,  what  do  you  mean  ?    Since  this  old  world 

began, 
Poets,  and  love-sick  fools,  exalt  the  younger-  man — 
Poets,  and  idiot  girls,  who  make  their  boast 
That  only  curling  locks  shall  rule  the  roast. 
But  lo  !  the  hour  of  vengeance  now  has  struck, 
And  wigs — your  fathers'  wigs — have  all  the  luck. 


SyLVETTB; 


But- 


Bergamin 

[growing  excited]. 
Oh,  I  know  !     I  know  we  represent 
All  that  is  out  of  date,  and  weak,  and  impotent ! 

[Mocking.] 
Poor  doting  men  who  doze  in  thick  night-gear ; 
Dull  cats  while  mice  carouse. — We  've  heard  you 

talking,  dear ! 


THE  FANTASriCKS  77 

But  those  are  ancient  tales.     The  modern  father, 

Miss, 
You'll  find— I  fear  you'll  find — is  very  far  from 

this. 
And   as   we   knew   you    both  —  you    and    your 

Percinet — 
We  just  forbade  your  love,  to  make  you  disobey! 

Sylvette. 

What !     [Overcome.]     What ! — you  knew  1 

Pasquin 

[triumphant]. 
Of  course  we  did,  you — child  ! 

Sylvette 
[still  incredulous]. 
Our  meetings —  1 

Bergamin 

[patronising], 
I  applauded ! 

Pasquin. 

And  /  smiled ! 

Sylvette. 
The — benches  that  we  climbed —  ? 


78  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin. 
I  placed  them  there  for  you. 


The— duel  ? 


Sylvette. 

Bergamin 

\b(ms  mockingly]. 
Our  small  joke ! 


Sylvette. 

The  bravos  ? 

Pasquin 

\hows  same  way]. 

Our  paid  crew ! 

Sylvette. 
My  rape  ?    [  With  sudden  fire.  ]    Ah  no  ! — 'Tis  false  ! 

Bergamin 

[searching  in  his  pockets]. 

T  '11  show  you, — that  I  will ! 
— Here,  in  my  pocket,  see 

[He  produces  Straforel's  hill.    Sylvette  snatches 
the  paper  from  him  and  tears  it  open.] 


the  fantasticks  79 

Sylvette 
\reading  al(yUjA\ 

'  To  Straforel  (as  per  bill) : 
One  imitation  rape,  to  bring  betrothal  on — ' 
Ah!      [Slie  reads.]      'Eight  best  bravos'  cloaks, 
with  discount,  two  pounds  one. 
Eight  masks ' 

Bergamin 
[to  Pasquin,  uneasily,  after  watching  her]. 
Upon  my  life  !  I  think  we  spoke  too  soon. 

Sylvette 

[reading]. 

'  One  sedan  chair,  silk  lined ' 

[She  looks  up.]     It  was  silk  !     [Reads.]     'One  full 

moon.' 
[Ironically.]     I  see  you  spared  no  pains  ! 

[She  throws  down  the  bill  on  the  table  and 
laughs  nervously.] 

Pasquin 

[surprised]. 

Then  you  're  not  angry,  dear  1 

Sylvette 

[with  elaborate  graciousness]. 
Papa  !  'tis  all  a  joke. 


8o  THE  FANTASTICKS 

[Turning  sweetly  to  Bergamin.] 

You  've  wasted  wit,  I  fear, 
Dear  Master  Bergamin,  if  you  indeed  suppose 
I  only  love  your  son  for  reasons  such  as — those. 
[She  points  to  paper  on  tahle.^ 

Pasquin 

[delighted\ 
She  takes  it  very  well ! 

Bergamin 
[to  Sylvette]. 

You  take  it  very  well ! 

Pasquin. 
Shall  /  tell  Percinet  ? 

Sylvette 
[sharply]. 

For  Heaven's  sake,  don't  tell ! 
[Recovering  her  self ^  and  smiling^  with  an  effort.'] 
— Don't  tell  him.     Men,  you  know,  dear  father, 

are  so — curious 

Bergamin 
[approving]. 
Now,  here 's  good  sense  at  last. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  8i 

\To  Sylvette.] 

I  thought  you  would  be  furious, 
But  [looking  at  his  watch]  oh,  by  Jove,  it 's  time —  ! 
— It 's  time  to  go  and  dress. 
Your  contract 's  still  to  sign. 

[Holding  out  his  hand  to  Sylvette.] 

— Good  friends  1 

Sylvette 

[with  honeyed  smiles]. 

I  can't  express 
How  much  I  thank  you,  sir  ! 

[She  curtsies.] 

Bergamin 

[still  a  little  doubtful,  comes  back]. 

Then — you  won't  hate  me,  then  ? 

Sylvette. 
II 

[He  leaves  the  stage,  followed  by  Pasquin.     She 

looks  after  Bergamin,  her  whole  expression 

changing.      She  speaks  with  cold,  deliberate 

rage.] 

But  I — think — you — are — the  Very  Worst 

of  men ! 

F 


82  THE  FANTASTICKS 

[Enter  Fercinet  joyously.] 

Percinet 
Still  where  I  left  you,  darling  1     Can't  you  bear 

to  go 
Far  from  the  memoried  spot  which  saw  me  strike 

that  blow  ? 
A  rare  adventure  !     [Joyously.  ]     Love  !  you  prize 

it  well. 

Sylvette 

[stonily]. 
I — prize  it. 

Percinet. 

There  ! — just  by  your  foot,  you  fell 
Half-fainting,  yet  alive,  to  watch  me  slay  a  host — 
Thirty  strong  men  ! 

Sylvette 

[pettishly.] 
Say — ten.     And  at  the  very  most. 

Percinet 

[solicitously,  drawing  nearer]. 

Darling,  what  ails  you  1    You  look  sad,  most  dear ! 

Surely  [fatuously]    those   mem'ries   do   not  still 

cause  fear  1 
— 0  blue  eyes !  smile  from  out  those  gathering 

mists  ! 
Blue  sapphire  eyes,  that  melt  to  amethysts  ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  83 

« 

Sylvette 


/  call  that— stilted  ! 

Percinet 


Oh,  I  see — I  guess  ! 
What  tender  sadness  lurks  about  this  place. 
— You  miss  our  dear,  our  sacred  moss-grown  wall. 
Which  sheltered  our  young  hopes  and  our  sweet 

fears ; 
Yet   what   is   glory-crowned    can    never    truly 

fall,— 
Our  Romeo's  balcony  survives  the  stress  of  years. 

Sylvette 

\im'patient^  irritated]. 
Ah! 

Percinet 

[lyrically]. 

In  the  splendour  of  eternal  morn, 
Bathed  in  young  light,  that  white  old  balcony 
Still  bears  a  silken  ladder,  all  unworn, 
That  flutters  by  an  ever-blossoming  tree. 

[She  looks  up  impatiently,  mthout  speaking.] 


84  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet 
^uMh  increasing  emphasis]. 
— Unchanging  background  to  undying  passion  ! 

Sylvette 

[irritated]. 
Oh! 

Percinet. 

That  is  how  our  own  wall  still  is  set, 
AVhere,  in  the  same  romantic,  magic  fashion 
IFe  learned  to  love 

Sylvette 


What !  is  he  talking  yet  'i 

Percinet 

[mth  a  fatuous  smile\ 

Lo,  now,  my  lady  in  her  sovereignty 

Has  deigned  to  order  that  our  loves  shall  be 

Proclaimed  in  fairest  verse 

Sylvette 
[anxiously]. 
And  so  % 


THE  FANTASTJCKS  85 

Percinet 

\with  learning  satisfaction]. 
I  have  begun  to  write  ! 

Sylvette 

[contemptuously]. 
What !  you  make  rhymes  1 

Percinet 

[on  his  dignity]. 
*  Love, — had  I  learned  to  fight  1 

[Confidentially.] 
Hear  my  beginning.     Just  a  lyric  burst. 

[Eecites.] 
The  Father's  Feud :  A  Poem. 

Sylvette. 

Oh! 

Percinet. 

Book  first. 
[He  strikes  an  attitude  for  declaiming.] 

Sylvette. 
Oh! 

Percinet. 
What 's  the  matter  1 


86  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette. 

Joy  .  .  .  pride  .  .  .  rapture  ...  my  nerves,  dear ! 

\She  bursts  into  tears.] 
Oh,  let  me  be  alone  ! 
[She  turns  her  back  upon  him,  still  sitting  on  the 
bench,  and  hides  her  face  in  her  handkerchief.] 

Percinet 

[bevdldered]. 

My  Sweet !  I  '11  leave  you  here. 
[Aside,  with  a  meaning  smile.] 
A  day  like  this  ! — Poor  little  thing. — She 's  shy. 
[Re  goes  up  stage  R.,  sees  on  the  table  the  paper 
containing  Straforel's  bill,  and  taking  a 
pencil  from  his  pocket  sits  down  saying :] 
— We'll  note  those  lines,  since  inspirations  fly. — 
[He  begins  to  write,  but  stops,  holding  his  pencil 
in  the  air,  and  reads.] 
'  To  Straforel  is  debtor :  insomuch  as  he 
'  Did  feign  to  die  and  fall,  with  all  solemnity, 
'  Before  a  boy's  weak  blade  :  one  torn  coat,  three 

pound  ten;^ 
'  — To  wounded  pride,  ten  guineas.' — 
[He  smiles.] 

What  strange  men  ! 
[He  continues  reading  to  himself.     The  smile 
vanishes.     His  eyes  become  fixed  and  staring.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  87 

Sylvette 
\&till  on  the  herich,  wiping  her  eyes]. 

Oh,  if  he  guessed,  how  his  poor  pride  would  bleed ! 
I  almost  said  it  once.     I  must  take  better  heed. 

Percinet 

[getting  up]. 
Ho!  ho! 

[He  laughs  with  forced  mirth.] 

Sylvette 
[turning  towards  him]. 
What 's  that  % 

Percinet 

[hiding  the  hill  behind  him]. 
Oh,  nothing  I 

Sylvette 
[aside]. 

Ah,  what  care ! 
[She  sighs.] 

Percinet 
[aside]. 
I  see  now  why  they  found  no  dead  man  there. 


88  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette 

[aside,  rising]. 

He   seems   abashed.      What   would   be   best  to 

say  ? 
[She  moves  towards  him.     Seeing  he  does  not 
Twtice  her,  she  says  coquettishly  ,•] 
You  've  never  said  you  like  my  gown  to-day  ? 

Percinet 

[absently]. 
Blue  does  not  suit  you.   You  should  dress  in  pink. 

Sylvette 

[aside,  much  alarmed]. 
Blue— does— not— suit  1 — He  has  begun  to  think ! 

[Looking  at  the  table.] 
I  left  that  man's  bill  there  ! 

Percinet 
[irritably]. 
What  are  you  fussing  over  ?  ^ 

Sylvette. 

Nothing.     [Aside.]     Perhaps  the  wind  has  played 

the  thieving  lover. 
[Aloud,  shaking  out  her  skirts.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  89 

Nothing.     I  only  looked  at  my  despised  dress. 
It's— blue.     [Aside.]     If  he  has  seen  it  he  will 

soon  confess. 
[Almid.]    But  where 's  your  dear  love- poem  1 
[Percinet  starts.     She  takes  his  arm  and 
speaks  coaxingly.] 

My  dearest !  say  it  now  ! 

Percinet 

[sharply]. 
Oh'no! 

Sylvette. 

Yes.     Say  it ! 

Percinet. 

No! 

« 

Sylvette 

[ironically]. 

Not  to  redeem  your  vow  1 

Percinet. 
My  verses  are  not  worth 

Sylvette 
[interrupting]. 

Their  cost  we  cannot  tell ! 


90  THE  FANTASTIC KS 

Percinet. 
What  do  you  mean  ? 

[He  starts,  and  looks  at  her,  suspicious J\ 

Sylvette. 

I  mean,  [violently]  they  're  not 
by  Straforel ! 

-Percinet. 
Why  !  then  she  knows  ? 

Sylvette. 

He  knows  ? 

Sylvette  and  Percinet 

[together]. 

I  know ; — and  so  do  you  ! 
[A  silence.     They  look  at  one  unother,  then 
laugh  a  forced  laugh.] 
Ha!  ha!  ha! 

Percinet. 
What  a  joke  ! 

Sylvette. 
Yes.     What  a  joke  !     So — new. 

Percinet, 
They  've  made  us  play  a  part. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  91 

Sylvette 

\hitterly\. 
And  suck  a  part,  my  dear  ! 

Percinet. 
Our  fathers  were  fast  friends. 

Sylvette. 
Dear  neighbours :  yes,  that 's  clear. 

Percinet. 
Like  brothers ! 

Sylvette. 

Yes  j  you  seem — a  cousin,  if  you  please. 

\She  drops  an  ironical  curtsy.'] 

Percinet. 
I  wed — my  cousin. 

Sylvette 

\jprotesting\ 
Oh! 

Percinet. 
[patronisingly.] 

'Tis — classic. 


92  the  fantas7icks 

Sylvette. 

Yet  one  sees 

Marriages  that  are  more 

[She  shrugs  her  shoulders  slightly.'] 

— Well !  there 's  a  certain  beauty 
When  people  can— like  us — indulge  in  love,  and 

duty ! 
[Although  tliey  continue  to  smile  throughout  this 
scene,  their  voices  grow  steadily  more  biting 
and  their  manner  more  irritated.] 

Percinet. 

Duty,  and  the  Main  Chance, — these  two  parks 

and  the  farms — . 

Sylvette. 

So  excellent !     So  wise  !     Who  'd  sigh  for  love's 

alarms  ? 
— Yes ;  'neath  that  wall  our  idyl 's  buried  deep. 

Percinet. 
There  is  no  idyl  left. 

Sylvette.  ' 

I  'm  one  now  of  the  heap 
Of  dutiful  young  girls. 

Percinet. 

Wed,  wed  in  open  mart. 
—It  was  as  Komeo  that  I  won  your  heart ! 


the  fantasticks  93 

Sylvette. 
That  you  were  Eomeo — once — we  'd  best  forget. 

Percinet. 
My  dear,  you  don't  still  think  you  're  Juliet  % 

Sylvette. 
You  're  growing — bitter. 

Percinet. 

You — a  trifle  sour. 

Sylvette. 

If  you're  absurd,  good  heavens  !  have  /  power 
To  save  you  from  it  % 

Percinet. 

If  I  was — absurd — 
Was  I  the  only  one  % 

Sylvette. 

All  that 's  occurred 
Is  past  and  done. — But  ah  !  my  poor  Blue  Rose, 
I  've  seen  your  petals  drop.     [Maliciously.]    Drop 
like  those  pseudo-foes ! 

Percinet 
[sneering]. 
That  imitation  rape ! 


94  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette. 

My  hero — done  in  plaster  ! 

Percinet. 
Abduction — as  per  bill ! 

Sylvette 
\mili  concentrated  rage]. 

Oh  !  it  was  all  disaster  ! 
Our  poetry  was  sham ;  and,  as  soap-bubbles  rise 
And   shine,    and   glow   and   burst  before    poor 

children's  eyes. 
So  are  we  left  abashed,  and  clutching  soapy  air  ! 

Percinet. 

0  great  dead  Loves, — great  Loves, — whose  fame 

we  sought  to  share  ! 
You,  whom  I  copied ;  She,  whose  trailing  dress 
Was  Sylvia's  mantle  once.     O  noble  Loveliness  ! 
Pale,  great  Immortals  ! — we  are  less  than  naught. 
You  gave  your  royal  love,  but  ours 

Sylvette 

[interrupting]. 

Was  taxed  and  bought ! 

Percinet. 

Instead  of  acting  in  some  dream  divine, 
We  've  played  burlesque,  it  seems. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  95 

Sylvette. 

Yes,  all  the  time. 
Our  nightingale  was  but  a  cackling  goose  ! 

Percinet. 

Our  wall — my  wall  I  vowed  to  such  immortal  use, 
Was  but  a  puppet-stand,  a  stage  whereon  each 

day 
We  climbed  and  strutted,  just  as  puppets  may ! 
We    posed    as    angels    there — spread    dazzling 

wings, 
And,  all  the  time,  our  fathers  worked  the  strings  ! 

Sylvette. 

Alas  ! — And  yet   [thoughtfully]   still    more    gro- 
tesque we  'd  be 
If  we  ceased  loving. 

^  Percinet. 

Let 's  love  furiously  ! 
And,  to  begin  with,  we  're  compelled  to  love. 

Sylvette. 
But — we  adore  each  other. 

Percinet. 
That 's  what  we  must  prove. 


96  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette 
lyoifh  forced  amiability]. 

'Tis  only  love  could  make  us  bear  this  blow ; 
Is  it  not, — treasure  ? 

Percinet 

[same  manner]. 

Angel !  it  is  so. 

Sylvette 
[growing  ironical]. 
Good-bye,  then,  dearest  Soul ! 

Percinet 
[same  manner]. 

My  only  Joy,  adieu  ! 


Sylvette. 
I  '11  dream  of  you,  dear  Heart ! 


Percinet. 
Dear  Heart !  I  '11  dream  of  you. 

Sylvette 
[snappishly]. 


I  go  away — to  dream. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  97 

Percinet 

[same  Tuanner]. 

I  leave  you — just  to  muse. 

Sylvette 

[recovering  herself  enough  to  smile  at  him]. 
Good  night ! 

Percinet. 

Good-bye !     [Same  manner.] 
[Exit  Sylvette.] 

Percinet 

[looks  after  her  a  moment,  then  says  wiih  an  air 
of  determined  rage]. 

My  temper  I  won't  lose  ! 

[After  a  pause  ;  increasing  bitterness.] 

— She  treat  me  thus  ?  [Enter  Straforel,  who 
slowly  and  majestically  comes  down  stage.]  But 
who  is  yonder  wight 

In    curious    small    clothes     and     huge    mantle 

dight, 

This  much  moustachioed,  swagg'ring  cavalier  1 

[To  Straeorel,  after  contemplating  him  in  silence.] 
What  is  it  1 

G 


98  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Straforel 


\smilvjinj\. 
A  small  reckoning  brings  me  here. 

Percinet 

\i'm'pertinently\. 
A  tradesman  % 

Straforel 
\%till  smiling,  bows  mockingly]. 
It  would  seem  so. 
[With  a  change  of  manner  to  patronage.'] 

Eun,  my  worthy  youth, 
Tell  your  papa  I  'm  waiting. 

[5(2  struts  away,  humming  an  air.] 

Percinet 

[after  staring  in  wild  indignation]. 

I— to  run  ?     God's  truth ! 
[Insolently.]    What  is  your  name,  sir  1  ^ 

Straforel 
[striking  an  attitude]. 

I — am  Straforel. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  99 

Percinet 

[losing  all  control]. 

What !  you  here  1     You ! 

[He  recovers  himself  and  speaks  with  cold  fury.] 

Sir  !  it  is  very  well. — 
It  is  not  to  be  borne. — 

Straforel 

[smiling]. 
So  ho  !  the  dear  boy  guesses  ? 

Percinet 

[throws  at  him  the  hill,  which  he  draws  all 
crumpled  out. of  his  pocket]. 

Ruffian — take  that ! 

Straforel 

[disdainfully]. 

Dear  child,  avoid  excesses  ! 
[Strikes  new  attitude.]     I  say,  I  'm  Straforel. 

Percinet. 

Kind  Heaven,  that  sent  this  man  ! 
Why,  I  would  range  the  earth 


lOO  THE  FANTASTICKS       ^ 

Straforel 

[complacently^  interrupting]. 

That  were  a  lengthy  plan. 

[Mocking.'] 

Quell  that  remorse,  dear  boy ;  the  victims  whom 

you  slay 
Are  not  in  desperate  case.  [Laughing.  ]  Behold  me ! 

Percinet 

[savagely^  between  his  teeth]. 

There 's  a  way  ! 

[He  draws  his  sword  and  rushes  at  Straforel 
furiously.  Straforel  does  not  draw  his 
sword  hut  defends  himself  with  his  arm,  as 
easily  and  securely  as  a  fencing-master  giving 
a  lesson  to  a  beginner.] 

Straforel. 

Up ! — up  that  wrist ! — That  foot  more  back. — A 

shame 
At  your  age — to  ignore-^the — simplest  fencing 

— game. 

[He  defends  himself  between  the  words,  and  disarms 
Percinet.  He  hands  him  back  his  sword 
with  an  exaggerated  bow.] 

What !  is  your  lesson  over  ?     Won't  you  play  ? 


THE  FANTASTiek'S  \  id:- 

Percinet 

{humiliated,  beside  himself  with  rage]. 
Oh,  I  am  but  a  schoolboy ;  but 

[with  a  sudden  revulsion  of  feeling] 

Nay,  nay, 
1  '11  have — revenge  !     [ffe  seizes  the  sword.] 

I  '11  have  my  own  affairs  ! 
I  '11  drink  and  dice  and  brawl  until  the  whole 

world  stares ! 
Don  Juan's  shade  shall  blush, — I  '11  love  the  ballet- 
corps  ! 

[He  runs  off  the  stage  brandishing  his  sword.] 

Straforel 

[good-naiuredly]. 

Nice  boy !     But  who  the  deuce  is  now  to  pay 

my  score  1 

[A  sound  of  furious  quarrelling  is  heard  offstage.] 
[Strayorel  peering  behind  the  scenes.] 

What 's  that  ?    Who 's  there  ?     Who 

[He  bursts  into  violent  laughter.] 

Save  us,  Heavenly  Powers  ! 

[Enter  Bergamin  and  Pasquin  in  disorder,  with- 
out their  wigs,  their  clothes  cdl  torn  as  after 
a  combat.] 


ibe'^^  :      ^  c\  TH^  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin 

[readjusting  his  dress  and  handing  Bergamin  his 
wig.     In  a  breathless  voice,   with  immense 
dignity]. 
There  is  your  wig,  sir. 

Bergamin 

[half  choked]. 

Sir,  I  give  you  yours. 

Pasquin. 

You  understand  that  after  such  a  scene — . 
There  is  your  ruffle.     [Gives  him  torn  ruffle,] 

Bergamin 
[his  voice  cracking ;  great  dignity]. 

Sir,  I  've  patient  been, 
But  after  this,  not  even  for  my  son 
Will  I  endure  to  live 

Pasquin  ^ 

[catching  sight  of  Sylvette,  who  enters]. 

My  daughter  !     Hush  !     Begone  ! 

Sylvette 
[throwing  herself  into  her  father'' s  arms]. 
Papa  !     I  will  not  marry  Percinet ! 


THE  FANTAS TICKS  103 

[Enter  the  NOTARY /or  the  wedding  contract,  and  the 
Witnesses  in  their  finest  attire.'] 

Bergamin 

[losing  his  head]. 
The  witnesses  1 — the  notary  1 — Devils  ! 


Witnesses 
[scandalised]. 


Hey^ 


Notary 
[shocked  and  pompous]. 
Such  words  to  me ! 

[Straforel,  in  the  midst  of  the  uproar,  has  picked 
up  and  smoothed  out  the  bill  thrown  at  him  by 
Percinet.] 

Straeorel 

[thrusting  the  paper  in  Bergamin's  face]. 

Pay  me  ; — in  guineas  ; — eighty-nine. 
[Enter  the  wedding-guests  and  three  fiddlers 
playing  a  minuet.] 

Bergamin 

[beside  himself,  shoving  people  about]. 
0  devils  !    Fiddles  !  Devils  !    [To  Straforel.]    I 

decline 
To  listen.     [With  explosion.]    Devils ! 

[The  fiddlers  continue  playing  automatically.] 


i04  the  fantasticks 

Straforel 

[impatiently  to  Bergamin.] 

Sir,  sir  !  will  you  answer  that  ?    [Indicates  paper.] 

Bergamin. 
Ask  Pasquin. 

Pasquin. 
No  !  ask  him  !     [Indicating  Bergamin.] 

Straforel. 
What !  shall  I  hold  my  hat  ? 
[He  reads  with  emphasis  the  words  of  the  hill .-] 
'  One  false  rape,  set  in  action  to  betroth ' 

Bergamin. 

They  're  not  betrothed,  and  their  broken  oath 
Breaks  off  your  bargain. 

Straforel 
[to  Pasquin]. 
Sir ! 

Pasquin 

[protesting]. 

Why  should  /  pay 
Now  all  is  ended  ?    [Pettishly.]     Hang  you  !   go 

away  ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  105 

[Blaise,  who  enters,  speaks  apart 
to  Bergamin.] 


Bergamin 

\overcome\ 
My  son  has  left  me  ! 

Sylvette 

[taken  a'back\ 

Gone? 

[Straforel,  who  was  going  up  stage,  stops  short 

and  looks  at  her  attentively.] 

Straforel. 

Hallo—  ? 

Bergamin. 

Oh,  fly 
After  him  !     Quick  ! 

[He  runs  off  stage,  followed  by  the  Notary 
and  the  wedding-guests.] 

Sylvette 

[with  deep  emotion]. 
Gone ! 


io6  THE  FANTASTICKS 

[Straforel,  coming  hack  aoid  watching  her.] 
Straforel 


Is  it  writ  that  I 
Shall  bring  these  lambs  together,  in  one  fold  1 

Sylvette 
[mth  sudden  fury  of  indignation]. 
Gone  1     No ;  that  is  too  much  ! 

[Exit,  followed  by  Pasquin.] 

Straforel 

[triumphantly]. 

Cheer  up,  my  boy  !     Behold, 
If  you  would  earn  the  guineas  of  your  bill, 
Here  are  two  lovers,  to  be  dealt  with  still ! 
[Exit.     The  three  fiddlers,  left  cdone  in  the  middle 
of  the  stage,  continue  to  play  their  minuet.] 

Curtain. 


END  OF  ACT  IT. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  107 


ACT   III 

Same  Scene.  Materials  for  the  rebuilding  of  the 
wall  lie  scattered  about.  Heaps  of  lime.  Woi^h 
men's  tools. 

Bergamin  and  Pasquin,  each  on  a  different 
side,  are  inspecting  the  work.  A  Mason  is 
working  at  the  wall,  kneeling  with  his  back  to  the 
audience. 

The  Mason 

[singing  as  he  works]. 
Fol-lol-de-ri-do ! 

Bergamin 


All  workmen  are  so  slow. 
The  Mason. 


Fol-lol-de-ri-do ! 


Pasquin 

[watching  him  with  satisfaction]. 

That 's  where  the  new  bricks  go  ! 


io8  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin 
Ha  !  now  a  touch  of  plaster ! 

Pasquin. 

Ho  !  now  a  splash  of  lime  ! 

The  Mason 

[singing  in  operatic  fashion]. 
De  ri-do  !    De  ri-do !    De  ri,  de  ri,  de  ri-i-i-i-me ! 

Pasquin. 
Good  voice.     The  work  is  bad. 

[Re  comes  down  stage.] 

Bergamin 

[coming  down  stage,  speaks  with  aggressive 
cheerfulness]. 

Ha,  ha  !  and  now — look  here, 
My  wall  is  well  begun. 

Pasquin 

[stamping  upon  the  spot  where  the  wall  is  down]. 

To-morrow  noon,  'tis  clear. 
My  wall  will  count  two  feet — two  feet  of  wall, 

by  Jove ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  109  . 

Bergamin 

\in  a  lyric  outburst]. 
Wall  of  my  dreams,  arise  !  arise  and  be  my  love  ! 

Pasquin 

[sharply]. 
Did  you  speak,  sir  1 

Bergamin 

[with  dignity]. 

I  spoke.     [Sneering.]      I  hope  I  have 
the  right  1     [A  pause.] 

Bergamin 

[abruptly,  cmfidentially]. 

Ahem  !  .    .  .    How  go  the  cards  "i     Who  plays 

with  you  at  night '? 

Pasquin 

[drearily]. 
No  one.     And  you  1 

Bergamin 
I  ?     No  one. 

[A  pause.     They  bow  ceremoniously  to  one 
anotlier  and  walk  about.] 


no  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Pasquin 

\8tanding  sliVi\. 

You  Ve  not  heard 
News  of  your  son  % 

Bergamin. 

No.     Nothing. 

Pasquin 

Not  a  word  % 
Ton  my  faith,  neighbour,  thieves  will  pluck  him 

close 
Ere  "he  returns ! 

Bergamin. 
I  thank  you. 

Pasquin 

\chuckUng\ 

Ah,  boys,  boys ! 
\They  salute  one  another  and  walk  about.     A  pause.] 

Pasquin 

[stopping  short]. 
Now  that  my  sheltering  wall  stands  firm  once 

more, 
I  don't  object — .     [He  hesitates.] — I  don't  farhid 

my  door. 
Come  in — sometimes — to  see  me. 


THE  FANTASTIC KS  iii 

Bergamin 

[stiffly]' 

When  I  choose  1 11  come. 
[They  low  ceremoniously.'] 

Pasquin 

[abruptly]. 
I  say,  come  now.     The  cards  are  laid  at  home. 

Bergamin 

[hesitating]. 
But  can  1 1 — I  don't  know. — I  have  not  under- 
stood  

Pasquin. 

But — since  the  cards  are  laid  ! 
[Coaxingly.] 

One  cribbage  to  the  good. 

Bergamin 

[with  dignity]. 
I  'd  rather  play  bezique. 

Pasquin. 

Come  quick ! 
[He  turns  to  go.] 


112  the  fantasticks 

Bergamin 
[following  him]. 

You  owe  me  still 

Pasquin 

[waving  his  hand  to  the  Mason]. 
Work  well,  my  man  ! 

The  Mason 

[at  the  top  of  his  voice]. 
Tm-la ! 

Bergamin 

[patronisingly]. 

Fine  voice  that,  if  you  will ! 
[Exeunt.     As  they  go  off  the  stage  the  Mason 
turns  round  and  takes  off  his  hat,  revealing 
Straforel.] 

Straforel 
[imitating  Pasquin's  voice]. 
Work  well,  my  man  ! 

His  man  !  work  well !  ha  !  ha  !  and  all 
Because  I  'm  come,  disguised,  to  furbish  up  their 

wall  ! 

[He  sits  down  upon  the  unfinished  piece  of  wall.] 


THE  FANTASTICKS  li^ 

The  youngster's  still  afield;   still  gaping  after 

fame. 
[Shrugging  his  shoulders.'] 

It  needs  no  magic  glass  to  follow  out  that  game ! 
Prodigal  sons  return.      We'll  leave  him  for    a 

day, 
For  life — great  Mistress  Life — to  teach  him  her 

own  way ; 
To  douse  him  with  chill  facts ;  to  clip  his  wand'ring 

wing, 
And  send  him  whimpering  home.     Meanwhile,  I 

sit  and  sing, 
Plotting  to  cure  fair  Sylvia  of  her  craze 
For  new  adventure.     In  the  golden  days 
When  I  went  ruffling  through  the  country  towns, 
Squand'ring   my  wits  on   thick-head   louts   and 

clowns, 
I  often  played  the  duke ;  'tis  but  a  marquis  now, 
So  at  it,  boy,  and 

[lie  draws  a  letter  from  his  doublet^  and  hides  it 
in  the  mossy  trunk  of  a  tree] 

Ha  !     These  fathers,  you  '11  allow, 

JJo  owe  me 

[seeing  Sylvette  approach] 
Why,  'tis  she,  the  fair  fantastic  may  ! 

[He  seizes  his  troivel  and  disappears  behind  the 
wall.  Sylvette  appears.  She  looks  abmit 
her  furtively  J  making  sure  she  is  not  watched.] 

H 


114  THE  FANTASTIC KS 

Sylvette. 
Nobody  ! — and  my  letter  1 

\^She  lays  her  muslin  mantle  on  a  bench,  etc.] 
Day  by  day 
[she  goes  to  the  tree] 
Some  gallant — some  adorer — some  unseen 
Beautiful  lover,  brings — 

[she  plunges  her  hand  into  the  tree-trunk,  and 
holds  up  letter] 

A  flower  i'  the  green  ! 
[She  reads  aloud.] 

'  0  Sylvia,  Sylvia,  marble-hearted,  quite  ! 
' This  is  the  last'— 

[she  looks  up] 

— The  last  ? — '  complaining  I  indite. 
*  What !  still  no  answer,  tiger-hearted  maid  1 
'What!    still   no   pity  T     [Spoken.]     Oh,   I   am 

afraid ! 
[Beads.] 
'  Love  in  my  hollow  heart  reverberates  forlorn ' — 

[Spoken.] 
How  well  he  writes  ! 

[She  crumples  up  the  paper  nervously.] 

And  Percinet — is  gone  ! 
He  left  me  for  the  world.    I  '11  do  as  much  for  him. 
I  will  not  wait  alone  and  watch  my  dreams  grow 

dim. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  115 

— Let  him  but  claim  me  now,  this  lord  who  loves 

me  so — . 
\She  looks  at  the  Utter.'] 

'  0  tiger-hearted  maid  ! '     Alas  !  how  should  men 

know  1 
From  out  these  dull  green  leaves,  all  full  of  nests 

and  birds, 
Let  him  appear,  like  dawn,  and  claim  me  with 

sweet  words — 
With  strange,  sweet  words.     And,  as  I  am — un- 
curled, 
Without  a  hat — I  'd  fly,  I  'd  follow  round  the  world ! 

[Holding  out  her  hands.'] 

Whatever  it  may  cost,  break,  custom's  iron  bands  ! 
My  lover,  still  unknown,  see  !  I  stretch  suppliant 

hands. 
Where  art  thou  ? 

[Enter  Straforel.] 

Straforel 

[in  a  loud  voice]. 
Here ! 

Sylvette. 
0  help  !     O  help  me,  Percinet ! 
[Going  backwards  as  Straforel  advanx^es.] 
How  dare  you,  sir,  come  near  ! 


ii6  THE  FANTASTIC KS 

Straforel 

[in  a  lover-like  voice]. 

AVhat !  send  your  slave  away  ? 
— Mine  was  the  letter,  sweet,  you  read  but  now. 
I  am  that  favoured  mortal,  whose  rash  vow 
You  hearkened  and  approved.     And  mine  the 

rapturous  plan 
To  carry  off  my  bride 

Sylvette 

[bewildered]. 
How — dare  you  speak  so — man  ! 

Straforel. 

A  man  ? — you  take  me  for  a  man,  sweet  miss  1 
Now,  stap  my  vitals  !  what  a  jest  is  this  ! 

[He  speaks  with  a  grand  air.] 
Your  servant  still,  though  lord  of  many  lands, 
The  Marquess  D'Astafiorquercita  stands. 
Your  lover  here  confessed.    [Strikes  attitude.]    His 

sad,  sick  heart 
Long  since  despaired  of  Peace.    [Confidentially.] 

That  is  a  part 
Of  all  romance. — Yet,  on  the  other  hand. 
His  life  is  wild,  and  terrible,  and  grand. 
He 's  a  knight- errant.     He 's  a  poet,  too — 
A  marquis ; — and  he  wields  this  tool  [brandishes 

trowel]  for  you! 
[He  throws  his  trowel  away  with  an  elegant  air, 


THE  FANTASriCKS  117 

and  tearing  off  his  linen  coat  and  white  hat, 
cohered  with  lime,  appears  in  a  brilliant, 
fantastic  costume,  fair  curling  wig,  military 
moustache.'] 

Sylvette 

\startled\ 
My  lord 

Straforel 

[interrupting]. 

For  love  it  was,  for  love  of  you,  I  came. 
A  certain  Straforel  once  spoke  your  charming 

name ; — 
Since  then  I  'm  mad  with  love — quite  mad — afire, 

I  swear. 
To  right  your  cruel  wrongs 

Sylvette 

_    {bewUdered], 

I  know  not  what  they  were  ! 

Straforel. 

Angels  forget;  but  I — nay,  do  not  tremble,  Sweet, 
For  Straforel  is  dead — I  slew  him  at  my  feet. 

Sylvette 
\horrified\ 
You  killed  him ! 


ii8  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Straforel 
[shoiving  his  hand]. 

With  this  hand.     It  always  was  my  joy 
To  kill  my  fellow-man. 

[He  curls  his  moustache.     Complacently.] 

I  Ve  practised  since  a  boy. 

Sylvette. 
Merciful  Heaven !  my4ord  ! 

Straforel 

[patronisingly]. 

Leave  all  to  me,  fair  Flower — 
At  any  cost  you  crave  to  live  one  royal  hour. 

Sylvette 

[protesting]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel. 
My  word  is  pledged.     To-night  I  claim  my  wife. 

Sylvette. 
Osir! 

Straforel. 
I  'm  not  in  jest. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  119 

Sylvette. 

My  lord ! 

Straforel. 

My  Dearest  Life  ! 
But  you  are  deeply  pledged.     I  heard  you  speak 

the  words. 

At  dusk  we  11  fly  away — we  two — like  frighted 

birds,  \with  a  swaggering  air\ 

And  if  your  worthy  merchant-father  lose  his  head 

With  grief — such  things  have  been 

Sylvette 

\_'pite(M5ly\. 
My  lord  ! 

Straforel. 

Nay,  strike  me  dead  ! 
It  were  a  merry  jest.      I'll  shoot  men  on  our 

track 
Like  dogs ;  since,  once  eloped,  there  is  no  turning 

back. 
Ho  for  a  merry  life  ! 

Sylvette 

\fTigMened\ 
But,  sir 


I20  THE  FANTASIICKS 

Straforel. 

The  life  for  me  ! 
Say,  Sweetheart,  shall  we  fly  when  winds  and 

storms  are  free  % 
"When  on  our  naked  heads  the  wild  rains  beat 

Sylvette 

\al(hrmed\ 
0  sir  !     , 

Straforel. 
The  paths  of  joy  are  red  from  bleeding  feet. 

Sylvette 

But,  sir! 

Straforel. 

In  unknown  lands,  far  from  all  human  ken, 
We'll   live   in   lone    content,    dressed   like   two 

beggar-men. 

/        Sylvette 

\dartled\ 


But  why  % 


Straforel 

I  have  no  gold.  {Scornfully ?\  You  would 
not  have  me — ridt  % 


THE  FANTASTICKS  121 

Sylvette 

\d(mUfully\ 
I 

Straforel 

\jgatr(mmngly\ 

'Love  me  for  myself.'    /  know.     Don't  blush, 

sweet  witch ! 
\Bedaimmg^ 

Once  there,  we  '11  live  on  crusts — crusts  soaked 

in  lovers'  tears. 

Sylvette 

\hm'nfiedb\. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel. 
We  '11  live  alone,  and  all  forgot,  for  years. 

Sylvette 

\j^otesting\ 
But  I 

Straforel. 

Not  in  a  house.     No,  we  shall  find  content 
In  simpler  things  than  fhat.     I  '11  love  you  in  a 

tent. 

Sylvette. 
A  tent ! 


122  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Straforel. 
Ropes,  canvas,  tent-poles,  six  or  seven — 
\dedaiming\ 
The  only  bars  between  us  and  high  heaven. 

Sylvette 

\agha^t\ 
What  have  I  done  ? 

Straforel 

[tenderly]. 
What !  still  a-quaking,  Sweet  1 
You  fear  the  road  is  long  for  such  small  feet  ? 
So  be  it.     We  will  hide,  my  fairest  Queen, 
Wherever  we  may  hope  to  live  unseen. 
O  solitude — 0  rapture 

Sylvette 

[timidly]. 

You  mistake 


Straforel. 

Never  an  honest  man  this  guilty  hand  will  take: 
What  matter  ^ 

Sylvette. 
Matter ! 


the  fantasticks  123 

Straforel. 

Prejudice,  my  Own. 
This  world  was  only  built  to  be  o'erthrown. 
Our  happiness  shall  spring  from  our  disgrace. 

Sylvette 
\yiMh  dignity]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel. 

All  day  I  '11  contemplate  your  face. 
My  only  task,  to  hymn  your  praise  in  song 

Sylvette 
[deprecating]. 
My  lord 

Straforel. 

0  Poesy,  0  Passion  !— All  day  long. — 
Then,  I  '11  be  jealous  of  your  slightest  look 

Sylvette 
[protesting]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel. 

Like  black  Othello  in  the  story-book, 
I'll  howl  like  wolves,  like  jackals,  and  like  bears 


124  THE  FANTASriCKS 

Sylvette 

\^falU  half  fainting  on  the  hendh]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel. 

I  '11  drown  you  in  your  own  salt  tears, 
If  you  but  rattle  at  your  chains. 

Sylveti'E 
[faintly]. 

My  lord ! 

Straforel 

{with  a  magnificent  air\ 
The  chains  of  love  are  sacred,  my  Adored. 

Sylvette 

[taking  courage]. 
My  lord 

Straforel 

[menucing]. 
You  tremble  ? 

Sylvette 

[relapsing]. 
Heaven !  those  awful  chains. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  .     125 

Straforel 

[snatching  at  her  hand  violently]. 
Does  milk  and  water  blue  these  lovely  veins  1 

[He  kisses  her  hand  and  throws  it  aside.] 
Are  you  a  schoolgirl  thus  to  shrink  from  me  1 — 
Shrink  from  your  high,  romantic  destiny  1 
See,  now  I  go;  [threateningly]  but  shall  I  go — 

beguiled  1 


Sylvette 
[faltering]. 


My  lord- 


Straforel 
[patronisingly]. 
I  understand.     Comfort  your  soul,  my 

child  ! 
To-night,  this  very  night,  upon  my  wildest  horse 
I  '11  bear  you  far  away.     You  '11  suffer,  dear,  of 

course, 
But  sedan  chairs  are  slow — are  slow  and  very 

dear; 
And  this  elopement  counts.     I'll  come  for  you, 

no  fear. 
[Goes  up  stage.] 


My  lord- 


Sylvette 

[faintly]. 


126  the  fantasticks 

Straforel 
I  shall  return. 

Sylvette 
[imploringly]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel 

[waving  his  hand]. 

I  come  again. 
Let  me  but  seek  my  cloak,  my  steed  with  tossing 

mane. 

Sylvette 

[imploringly]. 
My  lord ! 

Straforel 

[waving  his  arms  with  a  magnificent  gesture]. 
And  we  shall  fly  from  distant  shore  to  shore. 
[Com£s  down  stage.] 

0  dearest  dream  of  love !      0  heart  that  beats 

once  more  ! 
Sweet  soul !  to  whom  my  soul  can  whisper — '  Lo  ! 

my  bride ! ' 

1  shall  return,  to  stay 

Sylvette 

[in  a  half-choked  voice]. 
To  stay  1 


THE  FANTASrJCKS  127 

Straforel. 

Yes  ;  by  thy  side 
To    live    for   evermore  —  to    live   while   worlds 

endure. 

You  loved  me  ere  we  met.     We  met.     My  love 

was  sure. — 

[Befm^e  going  out  he  turns  and  sees  her  half 
fainting  on  the  bench.     Aside.] 

Flourish  of  trumpets ;  enter  Percinet ! 

[Exit.] 

Sylvette 
[opening  her  eyes  ;  faintly]. 

My  lord !     0  sir !     Oh,  not — not  in  that  awful 

way  ! 
Oh  pity  me,  my  lord ! — Not  on  the  champing 

steed. 
Let  me  go  home  instead.     I  could  not  bear — 

Indeed. 
A  schoolgirl. — That  is  all.     My  lord  ! — I  would 

not  seem 
Anything  more.     My  lord  ! 

[She  looks  about  her.] 

Gone  1    What  an  awful  dream  ! 

[A  pause.     She  sits  up  and  collects  herself] 


128  THE  FANTASTICKS 

I'd  rather  serious  things  would  happen  but  in 

jest. 
[aS^^  gets  wp^ 

0  Sylvia,  O  my  dear,  this  thing  you  held  for 

best, 
This  love  you  longed  to  know — this  lover  heaven- 
sent— 
Oh!— 

[She  throws  up  her  arms.'] 

Beggars'  clothes  and  scorn ; — exile — and  oh,  that 

tent! 
Alas !  he  brought  too  much.     Ah  me,  I  wanted 

less: 
A  laurel  leaf  or  two  dropped  in  the  daily  mess ; 
— Not  bitterness   of  bays — but   spice   to  daily 

meat. 
[She  sighs  pensively.'] 

1  could  be  happy  now  with  something — not  so 

sweet. — 

[The  twilight  deepens  in  tlie  park.     She  takes  up 

her  muslin  veil  left  on  the  bench  and  covers 

her  head  and  shoulders  with  it.    She  murmurs 

dreamily.] 

Who  knows  1 

[Enter  Percinet.  He  is  in  rags^  his  arm  in  a 
sling ;  he  drags  himself  with  difficulty.  His 
hatf  in  which  the  feather  is  broken,  nearly 
conceals  his  face.  Sylvette  has  not  yet 
seen  him.] 


THE  FANTA STICKS  129 

Percinet. 

Since  yester  morn  I  have  not  broken  bread. 
Nor  eat,  nor  drank,  nor  slept ;  and  oh,  this  throb- 
bing head  ! 
— 0  sorry,   sorry   sport ! — Farewell,   adventures 

all! 
Mine  ears  are  leaden  grown  when  syren  voices 

call. 

\^He  leans  upon  the  wall,  his  hat  falls  and  uncovers 
his  face.     Sylvette  catches  sight  of  him.] 

Sylvette. 
You? 

[He  sjprings  up  aghast.     She  looks  at  him.] 
And  in  what  a  plight !     Oh  !  can  it 


Percinet 
[grimly]. 

It  can  be. 
— The  Prodigal's  Return. — [Fiteousli/.]   Alas,  alas 

for  me  ! 

[He  staggers.] 

Sylvette 
[clasping  her 
Alack  !  he 's  fain  to  fall ! 


I30  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet 

Nothing ;  a  passing  thrill 

Sylvette 
[catching  sight  of  his  arm,  ami  with  a  cry]. 
Wounded ! 

Percinet 
[quickly]. 
And  can  your  heart  forgive,  0  Sylvia,  still  1 

Sylvette 

[severely,  moving  away]. 
Only  a  father,  sir,  the  fatted  calf  should  slay. 
[Percinet  makes  a  quick  movement,  and  his 
wounded  arm  makes  him  wince.] 

Sylvette 
[speaking  involuntarily,  alarmed^. 
Alas,  that  wound  I 

Percinet 

[sadly]. 
Alas  !  for  poorest  Percinet ! 
Yet  spare  your  sweetest  tears ;  I  would  not  have 

you  grieve. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  131 

Sylvi^tte 

Where  were  you  all  this  time  %     How  could  you 

bear  to  leave 
She — those  you  love,  I  mean  *? 

Percinet 
[shaking  his  head], 

Sylvette,  I  wrought  no  good. 
[He  coughs.] 

Sylvette 
[quickly]. 
And  now  that  cruel  cough 


Percinet 

[shaking  his  head]. 

If  you  but  understood  ! 
[Mysteriousli/.] 
Roaming  afar,  at  night 

Sylvette 

[ingenuously]. 

And  that 's  how  men  catch  cold  ! 
— How  strangely  you  are  dressed  ! 


132  THE  FANTAS TICKS 

Percinet. 

Alas !  must  you  be  told  1 
— How  among  thieves  I  fell,  and  grovelled  among 

swine  1 

Sylvette 
[ironically]. 
That's  Life.     /'t?e  learned  that  too. 

[With  ill-repressed  cu/riosity.] 

Were  the  strange  ladies  fine  1 

Percinet 

[hastily]. 
Don't  talk  of  them,  my  dear. 

Sylvette. 

And  on  high  balconies, 
With  silken  ladders  hung,  did  you  ascend  the 

skies  1 

Percinet 


I  nearly  broke  my  neck ! 


Sylvette 
[ironically]. 
Oh  brave,  whom  love  inspires  ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  133 

Percinet 

Alas,   poor   silly   sheep,  with  coat  torn  by  the 

briars  ! 

Sylvette. 
Long  in  your  memory  will  such  great  hours  stay  ! 

Percinet 


How  in  a  cupboard  hid  I  spent  one  summer  day. 

Sylvette. 
The  gallant  wagers  won 

Percinet. 

Oh.  yes,  oh  yes  ;  \a8ide\  and  how 
An  angry  spouse  belabours 

\He  rubs  his  shoulder.] 

Sylvette 
[admiringly,  pointing  to  his  arm]. 

Wounded  now  1 

Percinet 
[aside]. 
It  nearly  cost  my  life, 


134  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette 
[doubtfully]. 
And  yet  you  have  come  back  1 

Percinet. 

Athirst ;    afoot ;    stripped    bare ;  a  sorry  sight, 

alack ! 

Sylvette 

[enthusiastically]. 

Yes;  but  at  least  you  've  seen,  you  've  found  True 

Poetry ! 

Percinet. 
I  sought  it  far  and  wide. 

[He  speaks  tenderly.] 

I  left  it,  dear,  with  thee. 
Ah,  do  not  mock  me,  Sweet,  dear  Sweet  whom  I 

adore ! 

Sylvette. 
Alas,  'tis  you  forget !     Alas,  those  days  are  o'er ! 

Percinet. 
But  why  ? 

Sylvette 
[sadly]. 
You  have  forgot.     They  held  us  up  to  scorn. 


the  fantasticks  135 

Percinet. 

They  ?     Who  ?     [Aside.']     My  heart  awakes ;   it 
wakes  to  shining  dawn  ! 

Sylvette. 
Our  fathers  played  at  hate. 

Percinet 

\_quichly]. 
We  played  at  love's  delight. 

Sylvette 

[shaking  her  head]. 

Oh,    that's   all  very  well.     I^ve  not  forgotten, 

quite  ! 
[With  reproach,] 

You  called  this  wall  a  stage  where  silly  puppets 

played. 

Percinet 


I  said — I  did  not  say 

[with  an  outburst] 

— What  matter  what  I  said  ? 


136  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Dear  wall,  dear  stage,  dear  mossy  stage  leaf-set ! 
With  great  green  boughs  for  screens,  and  heaven 

for  parapet. 
[He  points  mth  his  hand.] 

Our    backcloth    this    old    park,    that   fades    to 

tenderest  blue ; 
The  flaming  sun  for  lamp ;  and  Juliet  played  by 

you; 

Where    winds    breathe   discourse   sweet,   where 

flowers  and  sun  and  birds 

Act  the  old  play  for  which  our  Shakespeare  made 

the  words. 
Yes  .  .  .  though  our  fathers  bade  us  speak  the 

parts, 
Pulled    puppet-strings,    and    thought    to    tutor 

hearts — 
It  was  a  stage,  my  Sylvia,  where  the  play 
Had  been  rehearsed  by  Love — by  Love  ! 

Sylvette. 

Alack  the  day ! 
But  we  were  guilty,  or  we  thought  it  guilt. 

Percinet 

[reassuringly]. 

Guilty  we  were.  A  crime  is  always  built 
On  bad  intentions ;  and  we  meant  a  crime, 
And  so  are  sinners 


THE  FANTASTICKS  137 

Sylvette 
\doubtfulhf\. 

But  that  other  time 

Percinet 

Sinners  ! — I  would  not  rob  you  of  one  pang. 
For  less  than  this  men  have  been  doomed  to  hang. 

Sylvette. 
You  swear  it  ?     \She  looks  doubtful.] 

Percinet 

[fervently]. 

By  your  sweet,  your  balmy  breath  ! 
We  have  been  guilty,  love,  guilty  to  death. 

Sylvette 

[sJiaken  in  her  conviction,  sitting  down  quite  near  him]. 

Really  guilty  1     [Gets  up  and  moves  away.]     Yet, 

O  Percinet, 
Our  danger  was  not  danger — it  was  play. 

Percinet. 
It  was  true  danger  if  we  held  it  true. 


138  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Sylvette 
\sadly\ 
That  rape  was  but  a  seeming ;  even  you — 
Your  rescue  was  the  merest  fairy-tale. 

Percinet. 

Were  you  less  frightened  %    Did  you  turn  less 

pale? 
And  since  your  soul  has  tasted  the  rude  woe 
Of  an  abduction,  I  would  have  you  know 
It  is  the  same,  my  love,  as  if  you  'd  fled. 

Sylvette 

[shaking  her  head]. 

No  j  the  dear  dream  is  spoilt,  the  charm  is  sped. 

Those  masks,  those  cloaks,  that  music  i'  the  night. 

That  thrilling  combat — for  I  saw  you  fight ! 

[Clasping  her  hands.] 
I  saw  you  as  a  god,  whose  victims  fell. 

[Pouting,] 
Yet  all  was  feigned,  by  Master  Straforel ! 

Percinet. 

And  could  he  feign  that  night  of  Paradise, 
That  lovely  gift  of  April  to  our  love  1 — 
Or  set  with  stars  the  starry  shining  skies  1 
Or  teach  the  mist  to  shimmer  like  a  dove  ? 


THE  FANTASTICKS  139 

Was  it  his  power  that  bade  the  roses  dim 
Float  in  mid-air,  like  flowers  on  a  stream, 
Till,  like  a  redder  rose,  above  the  rim 
Of  dreaming  woods,  the  moon  rose  in  our  dream  1 

Sylvette. 

0  Percinet ! 

Percinet. 

0  love  !  young  as  that  night  of  spring, 
A-fire    with   youth ;    a-bloom ;    untouched ;    in- 
violate ; — 
What   need   of    magic    here  %      O    fond    Heart, 

wavering. 
Fly  to  your  nest  at  last.     My  dove  has  found  her 

mate ! 

Sylvette 

\with  emotion]. 
Your  dove  1     [She  turns  away  and  sheds  tears.] 

Percinet. 

A  tear  I    [He  takes  her  by  the  hand.] 

A  pearl  1     [Kissing  her  ha7id,] 
You  can  forgive  me — so  1 

Sylvette 
[simply], 

1  loved  you  all  the  while.    I  think  I  did  not  know. 


140  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Percinet. 

This  is  your  brow ;  this  is  your  lovely  hair ; 
The    virgin    breath   of    you   makes   sweet    this 

night; 
The  angels  in  God's  heaven  are  not  more  fair. 

\IIe  plays  with  her  floating  veil.'] 
Oh,  let  me  kiss  this  hem  of  maiden  white ! 
Come !  blessed  cloud,  my  dear  love's  dearest  veil ! 
Come,  cool  my  parched  lips  with  thy  perfumes ! 
[Half  aside.] 

How  could  I  slight  these  maiden  muslins  pale 
For  all  the  silks  and  velvets  of  their  looms  ? 

Sylvette 

[quickly,  with  curiosity]. 
What  silk  ?     Whose  velvet  ? 

Percinet. 

No  one,  O  my  Sweet ! 
My  child ;  my  Sylvia ;  at  your  sacred  feet 

[he  kneels] 
I  kneel  to  worship  Whiteness. 

Sylvette 

[looking  down]. 

My  poor  dress 
Is  only  linen,  dearest. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  141 

Percinet. 

See,  I  press 
My  lips  upon  its  border,  bending  low 
Lest   I   should    soil    my   sweet   saint's   robe   of 

snow. 

This  linen  fold 
That  clips  yon  tight, 
As  envious  clouds  enfold 
The  light ; 

This  thin  white  lawn — 
White  flutterings, 
Outspread,  indrawn — 
Your  wings  ; 

This  linen  fold 
So  seemly  laid — 
A  look,  overbold. 
Might  fade ; 

This  lilmy  lawn — 
As  virginally  fair 
As  the  cobweb,  born 
'Mid  air  ; 

This  linen  fold — 

As  dainty-bright 

As  are  your  thoughts,  untold. 

All  white  ; 

This  speckless  lawn — 
Dazzling  like  snow,  like  fire — 
The  soul  of  You  ;  withdrawn 
From  my  desire ; 


142  THE  FANTASTICKS 

White  folds  below,  above — 

White  veils  where  I  adore, — 

White  veils  of  You  !     What  should  I  love 

Or  worship  more  ? 


Sylvette. 

Oh,  not  in  distant  lands,  in  untrod  ways, 
In  wild  adventure  or  in  unsung  lays, 
But  here  lives  Poetry ! 

[She  falls  into  his  arms.] 

Percinet 

[shaking  his  head]. 

I  cannot  praise  at  all 
My  own  adventures  as  poetical. 

Sylvette. 

The  storms   our  fathers   planned   were  fruitful 

showers : 
They  shook  our  souls,  but  brought  our  love  to 

light. 

Percinet. 

What  though   the  web  was  false?  the   golden 

flowers 
Were  'broidered  there  by  love  for  our  delight. 


THE  FANTASTICKS  143 

Sylvette. 

0  foolish,  foolish,  foolish  girl  and  boy 
To  seek  for  joy  and  love,  when  we  are  Love  and 

Joy! 

\Enter  Straforel.  Re  recalls  the  fathers  and 
shows  them  Sylvette  and  Percinet  in  one 
another's  arms.] 

Straforel. 
Look !     Eeconciled ! 

Bergamin. 
My  son  !     [He  embraces  Percinet.] 

Straforel. 

You  '11  pay  me  now  1 

Pasquin 

[to  his  daughter]. 
You  love  the  boy  again  ? 

Sylvette. 

Yes. 

Pasquin. 

Lord !  a  woman's  vow  ! 


144  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Stratorel. 
I  '11  get  my  well-earned  gold  ? 

Bergamin. 
You  '11  get  both  gold  and  glory. 

Sylvette 

\startled\ 

That  voice  %    0  Heavens ! — The  Marquis  of  my 

story  ! 

Straforel 

\hom'mg\. 

Your  Marquis  ?     It  was  I,  most  charming  Miss, 
I — Straforel ! — Forgive  me,  that  in  this 
My  zeal  forestalled  your  wishes,  and  I  took 
Means  just  to  give  you,  in  a  single  look, 
That  knowledge  women  often  travel  far 
To  find  out  for  themselves — how  dull  adventures 

are  ! 
Doubtless  you  too,  like  him,  [indicating  Percinet] 

our  dear  young  friend. 
Might  find  this  out  in  time ;  but,   faith  !   that 

bitter  end 
Is  far  to  seek.     The  world  is  hard  and  wide. 

[Ccynfidentially.] 

I  showed  you  my  best  magic-lantern  slide  ! 


THE  FANTASTICKS  145 

Perginbt:** 
What's  that? 

Sylvette 

\haztily\ 
Nothing.     I  love  you  ! 

Bergamin 
\^i^ointing  to  the  wall  begun]. 

And  to-morrow — bang  ! 
Down  with  those  stones,  and  let  all  walls  go 

hang! 

Pasquin. 
Away  with  all  that  ever  stands  between ! 

Straforel. 
No ;  keep  your  walls.    Without  them  naught  had 

been. 
Sylvette 
[summoning  the  actors  about  her]. 
And  now  we  five— if  Master  Straforel  please — 
Let  us  expound  the  play  in  which  we  've  tried  to 

please. 

[She  comes  down  stage  and  addresses  the  audience, 
marking  time  with  her  hand.] 

Light,  easy  rhymes  ;  old  dresses,  frail  and  light ; 
Love  in  a  park,  fluting  an  ancient  tune. 
[Soft  muaic] 
K 


146  THE  FANTASTICKS 

Bergamin. 
A  fairy-tale  quintet,  mad  as  Midsummer-night. 

Pasquin. 
Some  quarrels.     Yes  ! — but  all  so  very  slight ! 

Straforel. 
Madness  of  sunstroke  ;  madness  of  the  moon  ! 
A  worthy  villain,  in  his  mantle  dight. 

Sylvette. 
Light,  easy  rhymes  ;  old  dresses,  frail  and  light ; 
Love  in  a  park,  fluting  an  ancient  tune. 

Percinet. 
A  Watteau  picture — not  by  Watteau,  quite  ; 
Release  from  many  a  dreary  Northern  rune  ; 
Lovers  and  fathers  ;  old  walls,  flowery-bright ; 
A  brave  old  plot — with  music — ending  soon. 

Sylvette. 
Light,  easy  rhymes ;  old  dresses,  frail  and  light. 

\T}ie  stage  gradually  darkens;  the  last  lines  are 
delivered  in  voices  that  grow  fainter  as  the 
actors  appear  to  fade  away  into  mist  and 
darkness.] 

Curtain. 


THE  END. 


Edinburgh  :  T.  and  A.  Constable,  Printers  to  Her  Majesty 


LOAN  DEPT 

„  on  the <UtTto^JT """Ped  below, or 

Renewed  bookslS ^"kY^f^.'^'^^ed. 

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M24li 


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